Karak is one of the famous cities in Jordan which known with its crusader castle Kerak. This castle considers one of the three largest castles in the area; the other two castles are in Syria. karak was known throughout history as Qir Heres, Qir Moab, and Hareseth An ancient Crusader stronghold, Karak sits 900 m above sea level and lies inside the walls of the Old City. It is situated about 140 km to the south of Amman on the King's Highway. Karak characteristic by its view which overlook the Dead Sea. The town is built on a triangular plateau, with the castle at its narrow southern tip, but it is undoubtedly Karak Castle which dominates. The city today continues to boast a number of restored 19th century Ottoman building, restaurants, places to stay and the like. But it is undoubtedly Karak Castle that dominates. Islam's first expansion beyond the Arabian Peninsula was northwards into Jordan. Here the first contact between Islam and the non Arab Byzantine world occurred. The population in Karak City is about 68,800 in 2003, 31.5% from the total population of the Karak Governorate. Consequently, several strategic 7th century battles took place: The battles of Mu'ta, Yarmouk and Fahl (Pella). Many of Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) venerable companions and military leaders were martyred and buried in Jordan and their tombs and shrines today are important destinations for pious Muslims such as Al Mazar Aj-Janubi, just 25 minutes south of Karak. The fates of kings and nations were decided here for millennia.

What you see: Karak Castle is a dark maze of stone vaulted halls and endless passageways. More imposing than beautiful, the castle is nevertheless an impressive insight into the architectural military genius of the Crusaders. * Karak Archaeological Museum. * Mazar Islamic Museum.