Montreal (castle)Montreal (castle) at a Glance
About Montreal (castle)
Montreal (Shawbak) Castle is a medieval Crusader fortress in southern Jordan’s Ma’an Governorate, originally established to control regional routes. It is an important surviving example of Crusader military architecture in Transjordan.
The site features a central keep, inner bailey and substantial curtain walls with towers and gatehouses adapted to the hillside location. Visitors examine the masonry, vaulted chambers and defensive arrangements that reflect its role as a frontier stronghold.
The castle was founded in the early 12th century by Crusader forces to secure overland routes and saw changes in ownership and modifications through the medieval period. It was later occupied and altered by Muslim rulers following regional reconquests.
Montreal sits on a hill in the semi-arid uplands of Ma’an Governorate, overlooking routes that link the interior plateau with the Red Sea coast and the Jordan Valley. The nearest significant modern settlements provide access and services for visitors.
- Also known as: Often called Shobak Castle locally, it sits along historic routes between the Levantine coast and the Arabian interior and is notable for its Crusader architecture.
What to See#
- Inner keep and bailey: A large Crusader-era keep and inner bailey built to control trade and pilgrimage routes in the Transjordan region.
- Curtain walls and towers: Outer walls, towers and gateways that illustrate medieval Crusader defensive construction on the site.
Nearby Attractions to Montreal (castle)
Best Time to Visit Montreal (castle)
Best visited in spring or autumn for comfortable temperatures and clearer skies.
Weather & Climate near Montreal (castle)
Montreal (castle)'s climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 1° - 11° | 4° | 61 mm | mostly sunny | 68% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.3h |
| February | Good | 2° - 12° | 5° | 56 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.0h |
| March | Very Good | 4° - 16° | 10° | 47 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 2.4 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 9° - 22° | 15° | 16 mm | mostly sunny | 48% | 2.6 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 12° - 27° | 19° | 3 mm | clear | 41% | 2.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.6h |
| June | Ideal | 15° - 30° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 2.9 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Ideal | 16° - 31° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 41% | 2.8 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.8h |
| August | Ideal | 16° - 31° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 2.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 51% | 2.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 12° - 25° | 18° | 4 mm | clear | 52% | 2.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.3h |
| November | Excellent | 7° - 18° | 12° | 20 mm | mostly sunny | 56% | 2.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.5h |
| December | Good | 2° - 12° | 6° | 52 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 2.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.1h |
How to Get to Montreal (castle)
Shobak Castle is about 40-50 km north of Petra and 30 km south of Kerak; it is typically reached by private car or tourist minibus from Wadi Musa (Petra) or Amman. Roads are paved but expect rural conditions on final approach; a short uphill walk leads to the main entrance.
Tips for Visiting Montreal (castle)
- Wear sturdy shoes - the castle's mountain site involves uneven paths and some steep climbs.
- Bring water and sun protection; daytime sun on the plateau can be intense.
- Combine the visit with Wadi Musa or Shobak Castle if routing through southern Jordan; distances in Ma'an Governorate are large.