Discover Ajloun: Minaret, Maqām and Castle

Ajloun is a destination where historic buildings in the town and sites in the surrounding area offer different points of interest. In Ajloun itself are the Ajloun Mosque and the two Maqām buildings; Ajloun Castle, the museum in the castle and Mar Ilyas are outside the town. This distinction can help with planning your trip: you can focus on the town itself or also consider destinations in the surrounding area.

Historic architectural styles in Ajloun

The minaret of Ajloun Mosque dates to 1263 and still displays many features of Mamluk minaret architecture. Its date and design features offer two perspectives on the same structure: its place in history and its architectural form. For travelers interested in architectural history, the minaret provides a specific starting point in Ajloun.

Maqām al-Baʿʿāj lies about 100 meters west of the mosque and comprises a domed mosque, a vaulted porch and a mausoleum. Maqām Sīdī Badr consists of an open courtyard, a domed mosque and two rooms with domed roofs. The domed mosque is the shared feature, while the porch and mausoleum in one complex, and the courtyard and two domed rooms in the other, give each building its own layout. In Ajloun, you can therefore encounter different architectural forms that can be compared directly.

Castle and museum in the surrounding area

Ajloun Castle lies about ten kilometers from Ajloun. Izz Al-Din Osama, a leader under Sultan Salah al-din, had it built as a fortified military castle in 1184. It has seven towers and several halls of different sizes, and is surrounded by a moat about twelve meters deep. Its date and military purpose provide a historical context for these features and distinguish the castle from the religious buildings in Ajloun itself.

Founded in 2003, the Ajlun Archeological Museum is located in the castle. It comprises two connected halls with display cases exhibiting artifacts from various periods. These include numerous stone inscriptions from the Mamluk period, as well as pottery and glassware from the Bronze Age and the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods. The exhibits thus bring together different materials and periods: inscriptions are displayed alongside pottery and glass, while the castle itself provides the museum’s historical setting.

Mar Ilyas, a recognized Christian pilgrimage site, lies about ten kilometers northwest of the city of Ajloun. In addition to the castle’s military and architectural history, the surrounding area therefore offers a place of religious significance. Each destination has its own focus: the castle points to its history as a fortified structure, the museum to artifacts on display from several periods, and Mar Ilyas to its significance as a pilgrimage site.

Guidance for your hotel search

If the mosque and Maqām buildings are your main focus, Ajloun itself is the center of your visit; if you also want to consider the castle, museum or Mar Ilyas, include these destinations in your plans. When searching, compare the address of the specific hotel listing with the places that matter to you during your stay. This lets you first choose your destination based on the historical topics that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Ma'an, Wadi Rum, Irbid, Aqaba, Aţ Ţayyibah, Jarash, Madaba.

Return to the main travel overview: Jordan.