Shobak, Jordan – December 2025 — In a significant milestone for cultural heritage preservation in the Middle East, the comprehensive restoration of Shobak Castle has been officially inaugurated following a three-year international collaboration between Italy and Jordan. The project represents one of the most ambitious medieval fortress conservation efforts in the region and marks a new chapter for this 12th-century Crusader stronghold.

A Fortress Restored

Shobak Castle, originally known as Montreal and built in 1115 by Crusader King Baldwin I of Jerusalem, stands as one of Jordan’s most historically significant fortified complexes. Perched on a hilltop overlooking ancient caravan routes between Syria and Egypt, the castle predates the more famous Kerak Castle and served as a crucial defensive position during the Crusader period before later falling to Saladin and undergoing extensive Mamluk modifications.

The recently completed restoration project addressed multiple structures within the castle complex, each representing different historical periods and architectural styles that tell the story of medieval Jordan’s complex cultural heritage.

The Restoration Project

The “Programme to support socio-economic recovery in the protected area of Shobak Castle” was funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and scientifically implemented by the “Medieval Petra and Shobak” Archaeological Mission of the University of Florence (SAGAS), under the coordination of Professor Michele Nucciotti, with institutional partnership from Jordan’s Department of Antiquities.

Key Restoration Elements

Crusader Church of Saint Mary: The conservative restoration of this 12th-century religious structure required meticulous attention to original construction techniques and materials. The church, one of the castle’s most significant Crusader-era buildings, has been carefully preserved while ensuring structural stability for future generations.

Mamluk Soap Factory: This later addition to the complex, dating from the Mamluk period (13th-16th centuries), showcases the castle’s continued use and adaptation after the Crusader era. Its restoration highlights the site’s layered history and the economic activities that sustained the fortress community.

Lower Church Conservation: The project included creating a conservative display setup for the castle’s Lower Church, making this previously difficult-to-access space available to visitors while protecting its archaeological integrity.

Lapidarium Museum: A new museographic design presents architectural fragments, carved stones, and archaeological finds recovered from the site, providing visitors with tangible connections to the castle’s various historical periods.

Visitor Infrastructure: Recognizing that heritage preservation must balance conservation with accessibility, the project created new visitor pathways throughout the complex, integrated with a complete system of tourist signage and environmental graphics that help visitors understand the site’s complex history and layout.

International Collaboration

The restoration exemplifies successful international cultural cooperation. The inauguration ceremony, held in the presence of numerous dignitaries, underscored the strong institutional synergy between Italy and Jordan in cultural heritage preservation.

Attending officials included:

• Emad Hijazin, Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
• Luciano Pezzotti, Italian Ambassador to Jordan
• Andrea Romano, Head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation Amman office, with project leader Arch. Alessandra Blasi
• Professor Fawzi Abudanah, Director General of Jordan’s Department of Antiquities
• Florentine academic delegation including Professor Michele Nucciotti, Professor Guido Vannini, Dr. Raffaele Ranieri, Dr. Giacomo Ponticelli, and Arch. Fabio Candido

The project was designed by sundaymorning office, contributing expertise in conservation architecture and public fruition of archaeological sites. Their approach emphasized rigorous respect for historical pre-existences within an evolving archaeological context.

Historical Significance

Shobak Castle occupies a unique position in Jordan’s medieval heritage. Built as Montreal (“Royal Mountain”) by Baldwin I in 1115, it served as the Crusader Kingdom’s southernmost major fortress, controlling crucial trade routes and serving as a base for expeditions toward the Red Sea port of Aqaba.

After Saladin’s conquest in 1189, the castle underwent significant Mamluk modifications and expansions, transforming it from a purely military installation into a more complex administrative and economic center. This layering of Crusader and Islamic architecture makes Shobak particularly valuable for understanding the cultural exchanges and architectural evolution of medieval Jordan.

The castle’s strategic position also linked it to other significant sites in the region. It stood along the same defensive network as Kerak Castle to the north and served populations connected to the nearby archaeological site of Petra, creating a medieval landscape that connected military, religious, economic, and residential functions.

Impact on Jordan’s Tourism Sector

The restored Shobak Castle represents a significant addition to Jordan’s cultural tourism infrastructure. Located approximately 30 kilometers north of Petra and positioned along the route between Jordan’s most famous archaeological site and the capital Amman, Shobak offers visitors an opportunity to explore a less-crowded but equally historically significant medieval fortress.

The project’s emphasis on visitor experience—through clear pathways, comprehensive signage, and interpretive displays—addresses a common challenge in heritage tourism: making complex archaeological sites accessible and understandable to non-specialist visitors. The new infrastructure allows tourists to explore the castle’s multiple levels, understand its various historical phases, and appreciate both Crusader and Mamluk architectural achievements.

For destination management companies and tour operators, the restored castle provides an excellent addition to southern Jordan itineraries, offering:

• A complementary medieval heritage experience to Petra’s Nabatean archaeology
• An opportunity to discuss Crusader history and Islamic architectural heritage
• A less-crowded alternative for travelers seeking authentic historical experiences
• Enhanced photographic and educational opportunities through improved site presentation

Preservation Methodology

The restoration team’s approach prioritized conservation over reconstruction, respecting the castle’s authentic historical fabric while ensuring visitor safety and site longevity. This methodology aligns with international best practices in heritage conservation, which emphasize minimal intervention and reversibility of any additions.

The project also incorporated extensive archaeological documentation throughout the restoration process, ensuring that any discoveries made during conservation work were properly recorded and integrated into the broader understanding of the site’s history. This scientific rigor ensures that Shobak Castle’s restoration contributes not only to tourism development but also to academic knowledge about medieval architecture and life in the region.

Looking Forward

The successful completion of Shobak Castle’s restoration demonstrates the viability of international partnerships in addressing Jordan’s vast cultural heritage preservation needs. With thousands of archaeological sites across the country requiring conservation attention, the Shobak model—combining international funding, academic expertise, and local institutional coordination—offers a template for future projects.

The castle’s reopening also comes at an opportune time for Jordan’s tourism sector, which has shown strong recovery and growth throughout 2025. As travelers increasingly seek authentic cultural experiences and less-crowded alternatives to over-visited sites, properly restored and presented heritage locations like Shobak Castle fulfill growing market demand.

The three-year journey from project initiation to inauguration included not just construction and conservation work, but also workshops, lectures, and significant relationship-building among all stakeholders. This comprehensive approach ensured that the restoration benefited not only the physical structures but also local communities through employment, skill transfer, and enhanced cultural pride in regional heritage.

Visiting Shobak Castle

Shobak Castle is located in southern Jordan, approximately:

• 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Petra
• 190 kilometers (118 miles) south of Amman
• 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the village of Wadi Musa (Petra’s gateway)

The site is accessible by private vehicle or organized tours. With the new visitor infrastructure in place, the castle now offers a comprehensive experience suitable for visitors of all ages and interests. The elevated position provides spectacular views over surrounding valleys and mountains, adding natural beauty to the historical significance.

The Lapidarium museum and interpretive signage are available in multiple languages, making the site accessible to international visitors. Recommended visit duration is 1.5 to 2 hours to properly explore the complex and appreciate both the architecture and the panoramic views.

Conclusion

The official inauguration of Shobak Castle’s restoration represents more than the completion of a construction project—it symbolizes successful international cultural cooperation, demonstrates best practices in heritage conservation, and enhances Jordan’s already rich tourism offerings. As Minister Hijazin and Ambassador Pezzotti emphasized during the inauguration ceremony, projects like this strengthen diplomatic ties while preserving irreplaceable cultural heritage for future generations.

For travelers seeking to understand the complex medieval history of the Middle East, Shobak Castle now stands as a properly conserved, thoughtfully presented, and readily accessible destination that rewards those who venture beyond Jordan’s most famous sites.

For more information about incorporating Shobak Castle into your Jordan itinerary, contact Axis DMC Jordan – your expert partner for cultural heritage experiences in the Kingdom.

Project Details:

• Official Project Website: www.shobak.unifi.it
• Design Studio: www.sundaymorning.it
• Implementing Institution: University of Florence (SAGAS)
• Funding Agency: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
• Institutional Partner: Jordan Department of Antiquities

Photos by Sundaymorning.it

Last updated: December 2025