Ajlun Fortress

I went to Ajlun to visit the Saracen stronghold of Qalaat-al-Rabad. During the crusades, this castle held a dominating position affording Saladin protection against the crusader forces. It is also here that Richard the Lion Hearted was kept prisoner until his ransom was paid. Qalaat-al-Rabad's view is one of the best in Jordan where on clear days you can see all the way to the waters of the Dead Sea as well as the Jordan Valley, the West Bank and the Sea of Galilee. Qalaat-al-Rabad was once a strategic message post for carrier pigeons and a point for fire beacons, one in a chain of stations that enabled messages to be relayed between Cairo and Baghdad.
Ajlun Fortress
Stairs leading to the fortress.
Ajlun Fortress
Battlement at the entrance to the fortress.
Ajlun Fortress
Passageway to dining area.
Ajlun Fortress
Looking down on the valley below.
Ajlun Fortress
The main hall.
Ajlun Fortress
Much of this tower came down during an earthquake.
Ajlun Fortress
The top floor of the fortress.
Ajlun Fortress
The fortaments.
Ajlun Fortress
Another view of the fortaments.
Ajlun Fortress
Looking out toward the Jordan Valley.
Ajlun Fortress
Another view of the firmaments.
Ajlun Fortress
On top of the fortress looking down the steps leading to the lower floors.
Ajlun Fortress
Another view of the top of the fortress.
Ajlun Fortress
A mosaic.
Ajlun Fortress
I can't remember what this symbol meant.
Ajlun Fortress
Staircase leading down the fortress toward the moat.