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During the 12th century, Crusaders
wrested Ayla from Muslims and built a castle on
Pharaoh's Island. When Saladin captured Aqaba in 1182
AD, the castle became known as Saladin's Castle.
The Aqaba Fort was rebuilt in 1587
AD under one of the last Sultans of the Mamluk era and
has been substantially altered several times since then.
The Hashemite Coat of Arms was placed above the main
doorway during the Great Arab Revolt of World War I.
Running around the first bay of the passageway is a band
of Arabic inscription which gives the name of the Mamluk
Sultan, Qansweh El-Ghuri (1501-1516 AD), responsible for
building the fort (The fort is open daily and entrance
is free).
By the beginning of the 16th
century Aqaba had been ruled by the Ottoman Empire. The
city declined in status and for about 400 years remained
a simple fishing village of little significance. During
World War I, Ottoman forces withdrew from the town after
the Arab Army of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the Hashemite
Leader of the Great Arab Revolt, attacked them in 1917.
T. E. Lawrence, popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia,
took part in this campaign.
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