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Brian McMorrow | profile | all galleries >> Middle East, North Africa & the Caucasus >> Syria سوريا >> Crusader Castles tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Crusader Castles

The highway from Aleppo to Latakia on the Mediterranean
The highway from Aleppo to Latakia on the Mediterranean
Construction of the new highway connecting Aleppo with Latakia, Idlib Province
Construction of the new highway connecting Aleppo with Latakia, Idlib Province
Fertile valley, Idlib Province, Syria
Fertile valley, Idlib Province, Syria
The green Syrian highlands around Salma
The green Syrian highlands around Salma
Slinfah, Syria
Slinfah, Syria
Wildflowers in the Syrian highlands between Salma and Slinfah
Wildflowers in the Syrian highlands between Salma and Slinfah
Wildflower, Syria
Wildflower, Syria
Slinfah, Syria
Slinfah, Syria
Road in the highlands near Slinfah, Syria
Road in the highlands near Slinfah, Syria
Slinfah, Syria
Slinfah, Syria
There are signs on the mountain roads, not many and navigation can be challenging
There are signs on the mountain roads, not many and navigation can be challenging
Saone Castle, now known as Salahadin Castle, Syria
Saone Castle, now known as Salahadin Castle, Syria
Qalaat Saladin, a crusader castle now named after its conqueror
Qalaat Saladin, a crusader castle now named after its conqueror
Despite the impressive hilltop location, Saladin conquored the castle in 1188
Despite the impressive hilltop location, Saladin conquored the castle in 1188
I visited the main Syrian crusader castles from north to south, a good choice as each subsequent castle is more impressive
I visited the main Syrian crusader castles from north to south, a good choice as each subsequent castle is more impressive
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle, Syria
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle, Syria
Thick forests around Saladin Castle
Thick forests around Saladin Castle
Support for the drawbridge, Saladin Castle
Support for the drawbridge, Saladin Castle
A defensive ditch was cut out of the solid rock along the eastern edge of the castle with one pillar left for the drawbridge
A defensive ditch was cut out of the solid rock along the eastern edge of the castle with one pillar left for the drawbridge
This gorge was cut by hand to protect the castle
This gorge was cut by hand to protect the castle
Ramparts and towers above the gorge at Saladin Castle (Saone)
Ramparts and towers above the gorge at Saladin Castle (Saone)
Saladin Castle (Saone)
Saladin Castle (Saone)
Qalaat Saladin
Qalaat Saladin
Steps climbing through the wooded hillside to the modern entrance to Saladin Castle
Steps climbing through the wooded hillside to the modern entrance to Saladin Castle
The modern entrance to Saladin Castle
The modern entrance to Saladin Castle
Qal'at Salahidin
Qal'at Salahidin
Closer up, the ruins are more extensive than the first distant view implies
Closer up, the ruins are more extensive than the first distant view implies
The Keep, Saone Castle - Qalaat Saladin
The Keep, Saone Castle - Qalaat Saladin
Saladin Castle
Saladin Castle
The Keep, Saone Castle
The Keep, Saone Castle
Massive vaulted chamber at the base of the keep, Saone Castle - Qalaat Saladin
Massive vaulted chamber at the base of the keep, Saone Castle - Qalaat Saladin
Upper chamber in the Keep of Saladin Castle (Saone)
Upper chamber in the Keep of Saladin Castle (Saone)
View from the top of the Keep, Saladin Castle
View from the top of the Keep, Saladin Castle
Saladin Castle
Saladin Castle
Looking out where the drawbridge used to cross the gorge
Looking out where the drawbridge used to cross the gorge
The hand-cut gorge forming the eastern defense of Saone Castle
The hand-cut gorge forming the eastern defense of Saone Castle
Arrow slit, Saone Castle
Arrow slit, Saone Castle
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle
Qalaat Saladin - Saone Castle
The mosque built after Saladin's conquest of Saone Castle
The mosque built after Saladin's conquest of Saone Castle
Minaret, Qalaat Saladin
Minaret, Qalaat Saladin
Mosque, Qalaat Saladin
Mosque, Qalaat Saladin
Mosque, Qalaat Saladin
Mosque, Qalaat Saladin
Baths, Qalaat Saladin
Baths, Qalaat Saladin
Baths, Qalaat Saladin
Baths, Qalaat Saladin
Baths, Qalaat Saladin
Baths, Qalaat Saladin
Cistern, Saone Castle
Cistern, Saone Castle
View of the lower courtyard where Saladin breached the poorly defended walls in 1188
View of the lower courtyard where Saladin breached the poorly defended walls in 1188
Ruined wall separating the lower courtyard from the main castle
Ruined wall separating the lower courtyard from the main castle
The industrialized Syrian coast at Banias
The industrialized Syrian coast at Banias
Exit from the coastal highway for Marqeb Citadel - Qalaat Al-Marqeb
Exit from the coastal highway for Marqeb Citadel - Qalaat Al-Marqeb
Marqeb Castle sits high on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean
Marqeb Castle sits high on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean
Marqeb Castle is also a ruin, but with more substantial remains than Saone Castle
Marqeb Castle is also a ruin, but with more substantial remains than Saone Castle
Marqeb Castle held out until 1285, nearly a century longer than Saone
Marqeb Castle held out until 1285, nearly a century longer than Saone
Markab Castil
Markab Castil
Qalaat Al-Marqeb, Syria
Qalaat Al-Marqeb, Syria
The view of the Syrian coast on a not-very-clear day
The view of the Syrian coast on a not-very-clear day
View of from Marqeb Citadel, Syria
View of from Marqeb Citadel, Syria
These are greenhouses, Syria
These are greenhouses, Syria
Al Marqeb Citadel, Syria
Al Marqeb Citadel, Syria
The main gatehouse to Marqeb Castle
The main gatehouse to Marqeb Castle
Marqeb Castle was a major stronghold of the Knights Hospitallers
Marqeb Castle was a major stronghold of the Knights Hospitallers
Marqeb withstood sieges in 1204 and 1280
Marqeb withstood sieges in 1204 and 1280
In 1285, shortly before the Crusaders ultimate withdrawal from the Middle East, the castle fell to Sultan Qalaun
In 1285, shortly before the Crusaders ultimate withdrawal from the Middle East, the castle fell to Sultan Qalaun
Latakia fell in 1287, Tartus in 1291, and finally the island of Arwad in 1302
Latakia fell in 1287, Tartus in 1291, and finally the island of Arwad in 1302
Arched gateway, Marqeb Castle
Arched gateway, Marqeb Castle
Marqeb Castle
Marqeb Castle
Stars of David on an Ottoman era building at Marqeb
Stars of David on an Ottoman era building at Marqeb
The main courtyard and massive chapel of Marqeb Castle
The main courtyard and massive chapel of Marqeb Castle
Side door to the Marqeb Castle chapel
Side door to the Marqeb Castle chapel
Chapel of Marqeb Castle
Chapel of Marqeb Castle
Chapel of Marqeb Castle
Chapel of Marqeb Castle
Chapel of Marqeb Castle
Chapel of Marqeb Castle
Front entrance, Marqeb Castle chapel
Front entrance, Marqeb Castle chapel
Chamber above the cistern with several wells
Chamber above the cistern with several wells
Knight's Hall, Marqeb Castle
Knight's Hall, Marqeb Castle
Knight's Hall, Marqeb Castle
Knight's Hall, Marqeb Castle
View of Marqeb Castle from the chapel roof
View of Marqeb Castle from the chapel roof
View of the Syrian countryside around Marqeb Castle
View of the Syrian countryside around Marqeb Castle
View of the outer defenses of Marqeb Castle from the chapel
View of the outer defenses of Marqeb Castle from the chapel
Qalaat Al-Marqeb, Syria
Qalaat Al-Marqeb, Syria
Marqeb Castle
Marqeb Castle
Overgrown ruin, Marqeb Castle
Overgrown ruin, Marqeb Castle
Large vaulted chamber, Marqeb Castle
Large vaulted chamber, Marqeb Castle
Marqeb Castle
Marqeb Castle
Krak des Chevaliers on a foggy night
Krak des Chevaliers on a foggy night
The mountainous area around Krak des Chevaliers is still heavily Christian
The mountainous area around Krak des Chevaliers is still heavily Christian
Hotel Al-Riad, 1-star, inexpensive, clean and friendly
Hotel Al-Riad, 1-star, inexpensive, clean and friendly
Standard Syrian hotel breakfast, Al-Riad Hotel
Standard Syrian hotel breakfast, Al-Riad Hotel
View from the Al-Riad Hotel
View from the Al-Riad Hotel
View of the Krak des Chevaliers from the Al-Riad Hotel
View of the Krak des Chevaliers from the Al-Riad Hotel
Not the best of days weatherwise....
Not the best of days weatherwise....
Imposing hilltop location of the Krak des Chevaliers
Imposing hilltop location of the Krak des Chevaliers
Al Wadi Hotel - 4 (Syrian) stars
Al Wadi Hotel - 4 (Syrian) stars
Deir Mar Gerjos - Monastery of St. George
Deir Mar Gerjos - Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George, Syria
Monastery of St. George, Syria
Deir Mar Gerjos, Syria
Deir Mar Gerjos, Syria
Monastery of St. George, Syria
Monastery of St. George, Syria
Monastery of St. George, Syria
Monastery of St. George, Syria
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
SyriaMay07 1770.jpg
SyriaMay07 1770.jpg
Cloister, Monastery of St. George
Cloister, Monastery of St. George
Church of the Monastery of St. George
Church of the Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Monastery of St. George
Orthodox priest, Monastery of St. George
Orthodox priest, Monastery of St. George
The Arabic name for Krak des Chevaliers is Qalaat Al-Hosn
The Arabic name for Krak des Chevaliers is Qalaat Al-Hosn
The Arabic name for Krak des Chevaliers is Qalat Al Hosn - most signs use tha tname
The Arabic name for Krak des Chevaliers is Qalat Al Hosn - most signs use tha tname
Only a few signs use Crac des Chevaliers
Only a few signs use Crac des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers
Village at the base of the Krak des Chevaliers
Village at the base of the Krak des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers, enlarged by the Knights Hospitallers starting in 1142
Krak des Chevaliers, enlarged by the Knights Hospitallers starting in 1142
Crac des Chevaliers
Crac des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - the Crusader castle was built on the site of an earlier fortification
Qalaat al-Hosn - the Crusader castle was built on the site of an earlier fortification
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
The bridge is a narrow aqueduct which feeds the cistern
The bridge is a narrow aqueduct which feeds the cistern
Krak des Chevaliers withstood a siege by Saladin in 1183
Krak des Chevaliers withstood a siege by Saladin in 1183
As imposing as it is, the Krak fell to Sultan Baybars in 1271
As imposing as it is, the Krak fell to Sultan Baybars in 1271
Baibars' siege of Crac des Chevaliers lasted only 5 weeks
Baibars' siege of Crac des Chevaliers lasted only 5 weeks
Krak des Chevaliers is the best preserved of all the Crusader castles
Krak des Chevaliers is the best preserved of all the Crusader castles
Krak des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers, Syria
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers, Syria
Aqueduct of Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct of Krak des Chevaliers
Drive up the hill past the main entrance for this famous view of the Krak
Drive up the hill past the main entrance for this famous view of the Krak
Krak des Chevaliers sits on a hill 650m above sea level
Krak des Chevaliers sits on a hill 650m above sea level
Wildflowers near the Krak des Chevaliers
Wildflowers near the Krak des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers with wildflowers
Krak des Chevaliers with wildflowers
Syrian wildflower
Syrian wildflower
Flowers and the Krak
Flowers and the Krak
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Crac des Chevaliers
Crac des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers, Syria
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers, Syria
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Qalaat al-Hosn - Krak des Chevaliers
Alawite village below the Krak des Chevaliers
Alawite village below the Krak des Chevaliers
Ramparts near the parking lot
Ramparts near the parking lot
Post-Crusader Arabic inscriptions over the gate to Qalaat Al-Hosn
Post-Crusader Arabic inscriptions over the gate to Qalaat Al-Hosn
The main gate, Crac des Chevaliers
The main gate, Crac des Chevaliers
Informational sign at Le Krak des Chevaliers
Informational sign at Le Krak des Chevaliers
Entrance ramp, Krak des Chevaliers
Entrance ramp, Krak des Chevaliers
Entrance ramp, Krak des Chevaliers
Entrance ramp, Krak des Chevaliers
Medieval artillery
Medieval artillery
Fountain in the Hammam, a post-Crusader enhancement
Fountain in the Hammam, a post-Crusader enhancement
Bring a flashlight to explore dark passages like this leading down from the Hammam
Bring a flashlight to explore dark passages like this leading down from the Hammam
Sloping wall leading up to the Keep and Master Chamber, Krak des Chevaliers
Sloping wall leading up to the Keep and Master Chamber, Krak des Chevaliers
Reservoir, Crac des Chevaliers
Reservoir, Crac des Chevaliers
Passageway along the southeast wall
Passageway along the southeast wall
The second stable's main entrance is to the right
The second stable's main entrance is to the right
The second stable running the length of the southern wall, Krak des Chevaliers
The second stable running the length of the southern wall, Krak des Chevaliers
Southwest corner tower
Southwest corner tower
Post-conquest Arabic inscriptions, southwest corner tower
Post-conquest Arabic inscriptions, southwest corner tower
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Sloping inner south wall of the Keep and Master Chamber
Sloping inner south wall of the Keep and Master Chamber
The inner southeast corner with the gate leading to the main ramp
The inner southeast corner with the gate leading to the main ramp
Upper level, outer south fortifications
Upper level, outer south fortifications
The Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
The Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
View of the modern village below Krak des Chevaliers
View of the modern village below Krak des Chevaliers
Until the end of the 19th Century, the villagers lived inside the castle
Until the end of the 19th Century, the villagers lived inside the castle
Upper passageway, southeast wall
Upper passageway, southeast wall
The Hammam did not stand the test of time
The Hammam did not stand the test of time
Krak des Chevaliers - Qalaat al-Hosn
Krak des Chevaliers - Qalaat al-Hosn
Gatehouse between the outer wards and the keep
Gatehouse between the outer wards and the keep
The Square Tower, Krak des Chevaliers
The Square Tower, Krak des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers
Krak des Chevaliers
Southern castle ward with reservoir
Southern castle ward with reservoir
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Aqueduct, Krak des Chevaliers
Staircase
Staircase
Surprisingly large windows in one of the outer towers, Krak des Chevaliers
Surprisingly large windows in one of the outer towers, Krak des Chevaliers
Another dark stairway leading to the lower levels
Another dark stairway leading to the lower levels
Ramp to the Keep
Ramp to the Keep
90-degree left turn at the top of the upper ramp to the Keep
90-degree left turn at the top of the upper ramp to the Keep
Upper Court with Loggia and Chapter Room
Upper Court with Loggia and Chapter Room
Loggia window, Krak des Chevaliers
Loggia window, Krak des Chevaliers
SyriaMay07 1858.jpg
SyriaMay07 1858.jpg
SyriaMay07 1860.jpg
SyriaMay07 1860.jpg
SyriaMay07 1861.jpg
SyriaMay07 1861.jpg
North end of the Long Hall, Krak des Chevaliers
North end of the Long Hall, Krak des Chevaliers
Chapel, Krak des Chevaliers
Chapel, Krak des Chevaliers
Minbar in the coverted Crusader chapel
Minbar in the coverted Crusader chapel
Crusader Chapel converted to a mosque
Crusader Chapel converted to a mosque
Upper Courtyard and Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Upper Courtyard and Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Upper Courtyard, Qalaat al-Hosn
Upper Courtyard, Qalaat al-Hosn
Storerooms off the Upper Court, Krak des Chevaliers
Storerooms off the Upper Court, Krak des Chevaliers
Storerooms off the Upper Court, Krak des Chevaliers
Storerooms off the Upper Court, Krak des Chevaliers
Modern village below the castle
Modern village below the castle
Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Viewof the Upper Court from the Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Viewof the Upper Court from the Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Viewof the Upper Court from the Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Viewof the Upper Court from the Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
View SE from the Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
View SE from the Keep, Krak des Chevaliers
Master Chamber, Krak des Chevaliers
Master Chamber, Krak des Chevaliers
View of the Keep, southern ward and Reservoir, Krak des Chevaliers
View of the Keep, southern ward and Reservoir, Krak des Chevaliers
Outer western ward looking north from the Master Chamber, Krak des Chevaliers
Outer western ward looking north from the Master Chamber, Krak des Chevaliers
View from the Restaurant Terrace, Krak des Chevaliers
View from the Restaurant Terrace, Krak des Chevaliers
Leaving via the Upper Ramp, Krak des Chevaliers
Leaving via the Upper Ramp, Krak des Chevaliers
Driving back to Damascus
Driving back to Damascus
Driving back to Damascus
Driving back to Damascus
President Hafez al-Assad looks over the coastal highway
President Hafez al-Assad looks over the coastal highway