Krak Des Chevaliers

Kahf Castle

Harem Castle

This castle is built on a high hill, near Harem town at north-west Syria, now very adjacent to Turkish border at Iskenderoun district.

The castle is mentioned primarily during crusades, and was an important stop for attackers and defenders.

Arabic article here.

Tartous and Arwad

Castle of Arwad island, which has long known history still from ages before our calendar (B.C.). For full details wikipedia link is useful.

Here are pictures from the island:

It was holiday, and people from around Syria had come to Tartous:
Theme: Syrians.

Now let’s sail in the waters of Mediterranean sea:

The small port of Arwad taking boats:

Chastel Blanc برج صافيتا

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safita

A Windy Winter Visit To Knights’ Castle

Krak des Chevaliers, also transliterated Crac des Chevaliers, is a Crusader fortress in Syria and one of the most important preserved medieval military architectures in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers

This is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Salaheddin Castle – Autumn Visit

The Citadel of Salah Ed-Din (once known as Saone, also known as Saladdin Castle) is a castle in Syria. It is located 24 km east of Lattakia, in high mountainous terrain, on a ridge between two deep ravines and surrounded by forest.

The castle was built in ancient times, possibly during the Phoenician period (early first millennium BC). The Phoenicians are said to have surrendered it to Alexander the Great about 334 BC. In the tenth century the Byzantines gained control of it from the Aleppan Hamdanid dynasty, following which the castle was occupied by the Crusader Principality of Antioch. The Crusader walls were breached by the armies of Salah ed-Din in July 1188, and it is from this victory that the castle takes its present name.

Wikipedia.

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Yahmour Castle

Yahmour town in Tartous district:

Flora:

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Areima Castle

Nothing much remained, but it seems under-soil still some of the remains exist.

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Mahalibeh Castle

Mahalibeh castle is located about 40 km south-east Lattakia, in the Syrian coastal mountains chain. It is approached from east near town of Shatha in the Alghab plains and Jobat Borghal in the mountains.

The castle is built on a huge rocky hill at 750 m altitude, dates back to 11-th century, said to have built by Ahmar family. It is surrounded by huge walls, passing by 12 semi-circle towers, which incorporates longitudinal openings. Most of towers are at eastern side of the castle. There are cisterns, bases, underground halls, preserved till today.

Historically Necator of Antioch ruled for a while, later Aleppean sultanate gripped the castle, then passed to crusaders, and Saladdin, and finally 2 centuries went under control of Tripoli Princes, when later it fell into oblivion.

A road to the castle didn’t exist (last kilometer), till 2 years before, the government made a road which comes close to the doors of the castle from the south. There is a village called by the same name Mahalibeh, just near to it. There is now ongoing reconstruction and restoration works.

Wait a little more to see the castle while restoration works completed.

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