From the Enc. Britt. about Tartus: "also spelled Tartous, town, western Syria, situated on the Mediterranean coast opposite Arwad Island. It was founded in antiquity as Antaradus, a colony of Aradus (now Arwad Island). It was rebuilt in AD 346 by Emperor Constantine I and flourished during Roman and Byzantine times. Crusaders occupied Tartus, then known as Tortosa, in the European Middle Ages, converting it into a fortress-town and successfully defending it against devastating attacks in the 12th century; they were driven out by the Arabs in 1291. From the beginning of the Ottoman conquest, the town declined in importance until its port was rejuvenated in the 20th century. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa, now the town's museum, is a perfect example of 13th-century crusader architecture. The Castle of the Templars (late 12th to early 13th century), now mostly in ruins, can be seen in the older part of Tartus. Syria's second port (after Latakia), Tartus is also a fishing port and the centre of a rich agricultural region. Pop. (1985 est.) 64,680."

I twice (2009, 2010) stayed several days in this relatively quiet harbour town, and like it a lot. During my second stay I reconnoitred the Crusader buildings a bit more and was impressed by small, but wonderful remains of the old castle complex. It also is a good base to visit some nearby and important sights, namely Amrit, Arwad, Baniyas, Qalaat Marqab, Krak des Chevaliers, Jeble and Safita. The two series of pictures are now consecutive, I'll try to sort them into one later.