Located 27 kilometers west of Jerash, Ajloun (or Ajlun) is famous for its towering castle - Qal'at ar-Rabadh - and great views of the Jordan Valley. On a clear day you can even see the Dead Sea, the West Bank, and Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee).

Built in the late 12th century atop Mt. 'Auf (1,200 meters above sea level) as a strategic fortress overlooking the Jordan Valley, it was designed to control the iron mines of Ajloun and protect the area from the invading Crusaders (they never succeeded in capturing this fortress).

Destroyed in 1260 by the Mongols, it was later discovered, rebuilt, destroyed, and rebuilt. Ajloun is one of the best examples of Islamic military architecture in the Middle East.