Kerak Castle

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"A multi-hour mansaf dining experience centered on rice topped with wafer-thin shraak flatbread and slow-stewed lamb shanks bathed in a tangy jameed broth; the platter is finished with toasted almonds, pine nuts, and parsley. Karak’s renowned jameed quality is highlighted here, and despite a simple interior with yellow- and green-clothed tables, the dish is considered some of the best in the region. Typical service encourages communal eating (scooping by hand) and the meal is priced from JD20 (approx. US$28)." - Yulia Denisyuk

"CentralJordanis bisected by the King’s Highway, which runs south between the Dead Sea and the desert. The undoubted highlight of traveling this route is the massive Crusader castle of Karak, with its immense fortifications looming over the provincial town that bears its name. Built in 1140, it was one of the last outposts held by the Crusaders after Jerusalem was recaptured by Saladin in 1187. It fell to the Arab-Kurdish armies the following year after a long, drawn-out siege and continued to change hands—and shape—over time. The Mamelukes widened the moat and added more towers, while the Ottomans built a massive entry gate. Today, Karak remains the largest, best-preserved castle in Jordan. Inside, there are tunnels, dark chambers and dungeons, and vast, arched-roof stables to explore. If you head east out of town, past the Cairwan Hotel, there’s a lookout point where you can get a spectacular view of the castle in its entirety."

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"I was aware of past security incidents at Karak Castle — most notably a 2016 attack in which a Canadian tourist was killed — and that government warnings about the possibility of terrorist attacks reference events like this, so I paid attention to official guidance while visiting other sites." - Matthew Kepnes