Karak (also spelled, "Kerak") was built in 1142, the anchor of a chain of mighty fortifications that defended the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. This photo shows Karak in all its strength, perched on top of a mountain and above a deep valley, near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The photo was taken from across the valley, looking west; the Dead Sea and Israel are on the other side, behind the fortress, and the modern town lies just out of the photo to the right (north).