Episode 18 babak2: Jordan -Istana Ajlun

Ajloun: Istana lama  Salahudin Alayyubi terkenal dengan peperang menentang tentera Salib.


The marvels of nature and the genius of medieval Arab military architecture have given northern Jordan two of the most important ecological and historical attractions in the Middle East: the sprawling pine forests of the Ajlun-Dibbine area, and the towering Ayyubid castle at Ajlun, which helped to defeat the Crusaders eight centuries ago.

Sebuah keajaiban semulajadi yang menunjukkan kepakaran  bidang pembinaan oleh tentera Arab zaman Pertengahan memberikan suatu bukti  peninggalan ekologi dan sejarah yang terkenal di Timur Tengah. Ajlun sangat hampir dengan Jerash melalui hutan sederhana iaitu pokok pinus dan ladang zaitun serta melintasi beberapa kincir alir lama, perkampungan dan pemandangan bukit bukau dan lembah di utara Jordan.

 Ajlun is just a short journey from Jerash through pine forest and olive groves and boasts scores of ancient sites, including watermills, forts and villages, all in the beautiful hills and valleys of northern Jordan.

kawasan sekitar Ajloun, subur 

aras paling atas istana, sudah roboh bercampur dengan bhg dinding yg masih utuh

kelihatan menara paling tinggi istana Ajloun

Istana asal Ajlun mempunyai empat menara, condong mengarah ke tembok tebal dan dilingkungi oleh parit setinggi 16m lebar dan 15m dalam untuk menghalang musuh menceroboh masuk ke dalam istana.

The original castle had four towers, arrow slits incorporated into the thick walls, and was surrounded by a moat averaging 16m in width and up to 15m deep.
In 1215 AD, the Mameluk officer Aibak ibn Abdullah expanded the castle following Usama's death, by adding a new tower in the southeast corner and a bridge that can still be seen decorated with pigeon reliefs.

dari pandangan sebelah kanan luar  istana Ajloun

dari lubang memanah dari salah satu bahagian istana memandang keluar istana

Ajlun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) was built by one of Saladin's generals in 1184 AD to control the iron mines of Ajlun, and to deter the Franks from invading Ajlun. Ajlun Castle dominated the three main routes leading to the Jordan Valley and protected the trade and commercial routes between Jordan and Syria; it became an important link in the defensive chain against the Crusaders, who, unsuccessfully spent decades trying to capture the castle and the nearby village.

Istana Ajlun yang dibina oleh salah seorang general tentera Saladin pada 1184 untuk mengawal perlombongan besi dan menentang tentera Frank dari menceroboh Ajlun. Istana Ajlun menjadi tumpuan laluan ke Lembah Jordan dan mengawal dan melindungi lalulintas perdaganan  antara Jordan dan Syria. ia menjadi tumpuan utama dalam pertahanan istana dan penempatan di kampung sekitar Ajlun. Kawalan istana Ajlun sangat ketat di empat pintu di setiap aras istana.



Ten Salah ed-Din soldiers are guarding the castle every day of the week. They are placed at the four different gate levels that the castle has. Two are on the roof where the yellow Mameluk is flying. Siege ladders leaning on the wall add to the war-like atmosphere.