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Home » Travel & Vacation » A Medieval Castle in Syria

A Medieval Castle in Syria

June 6, 2011 by Faith 37 Comments

Crac des Chevaliers is medieval military castle that sits majestically on top of a 650 meter high hill in eastern Syria.  When you climb to the top of the castle and look down at the surrounding landscape it literally feels like you’re in the clouds…and it completely takes your breath away.

Crac des Chevaliers (meaning “Fortress of Knights”) is located in the Homs Gap, which is east of Tartus and west of Homs in Syria.  For thousands of years this corridor was a hugely important route since it sits along the only route connecting Syria with the Mediterranean. 

The castle was originally built by the Emir of Aleppo in 1031 to accommodate Kurdish garrisons.  However, during the Crusades the castle was the headquarters for the Knights Hospitaller and was actually where King Richard “The Lionheart” was based. 

From 1150 to 1250 the Knights of the Order of St. John expanded Crac des Chevaliers to house a garrison of about 50 to 60 Hospitaller knights and 2,000 foot soldiers, along with provisions to last up to five years.  They made it into the largest Crusader fortress in the Holy Land, with a three-meter-thick outer wall and seven guard towers eight to ten meters thick.  The inner ward, which was rebuilt in a Gothic style, included aqueducts, cisterns, large halls, storerooms, living quarters, a meeting hall, a chapel, and stables that could have held up to 1,000 horses.

In 1271 Mamluk Sultan Baybars used a military trick to gain possession of the castle.  After a month-long fight, Baybars presented the castle’s defenders with a forged letter from the Crusader Count of Tripoli ordering them to relinquish the castle.  The defenders walked out and all Baybars had to do was walk in.

Mike and I visited the breathtaking Crac des Chevaliers when we were in the Middle East.  The castle is incredibly well-preserved so that whether you’re walking through its dark corridors or spacious vaulted rooms, it’s easy to imagine the bustling daily activities that went on when the castle was inhabited.  Hope you enjoy our pictures!

On the way from Homs to Crac des Chevaliers we were taken away by the stunning landscape…

The fog-laden valley below the castle…

Outside the castle…

Inside the castle…

 

Historical information on Crac des Chevaliers in this post was compiled from the following sources (listed in random order):

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/syria/krak-des-chevaliers
http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Syria/West/Krak-des-Chevaliers/blog-286942.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers
http://www.stronghold-knights.com/site/article209.html
http://www.atlastours.net/syria/cracdeschevaliers.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Crac_des_Chevaliers
http://www.gonomad.com/features/0511/crac.html

Related

Filed Under: Travel & Vacation Tagged: Crac des Chevaliers, Crusader History, Homs, King Richard the Lionheart, Krak des Chevaliers, Medieval Castles, Syria, Tartus

Comments

  1. Rosa says

    June 6, 2011 at 7:15 am

    Thanks for sharing those wonderful pictures with us! That castle is splendid and so are the landscapes surrounding it.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  2. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says

    June 6, 2011 at 7:21 am

    What a majestic castle, with such a long history! Gorgeous shots, Faith, with some stunning views. I really like that shot of the steps.

    Reply
  3. Steve @ HPD says

    June 6, 2011 at 7:48 am

    I wonder what people will think of our malls and office complexes in a thousand years …

    Reply
  4. kirsten says

    June 6, 2011 at 7:50 am

    What an astonishing accomplishment! I am so envious of your trip, thanks for sharing the photos!

    Reply
  5. Diane says

    June 6, 2011 at 9:56 am

    An amazing place and your photos are superb. Thanks for sharing. Diane

    Reply
  6. Jessica says

    June 6, 2011 at 11:56 am

    That is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. I love medieval castles – it always amazes me how majestic they look while maintaining its strong defense purposes.

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    June 6, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    I’ve never been to the mideast… what a thrilling place Syria is! That castle is just staggeringly cool and you took such wonderful pictures.. well done, Faith!

    Reply
  8. Heavenly Housewife says

    June 6, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    What a magical place, and what beautiful pictures. This is probably the next best thing to being there.
    *kisses* HH

    Reply
  9. Juliana says

    June 6, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    It seems that I just traveled with you…beautiful pictures…thank you so much for posting your experience. Have a great week Faith :-)

    Reply
  10. BeadedTail says

    June 6, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    What an incredible, amazing place! Your photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Stevie says

    June 6, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    This looks incredible. I love trips like this: feeling connected to history in a breath taking and unusually memorable place. Thanks for sharing the great pics and the history lesson. Love it!

    Reply
  12. Susan says

    June 6, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    If those stone walls could speak! What a beautiful castle and the views are amazing.

    Reply
  13. Simply Life says

    June 6, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    wow!!! those pictures are just GORGEOUS!!!!

    Reply
  14. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    June 6, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    Thank you for taking us there with you Faith! The pictures are breathtaking! :D

    Reply
  15. Reeni says

    June 6, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    The scenes ARE stunning! And the castle is gargantuan! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures with us Faith!

    Reply
  16. lequan says

    June 6, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    These are beautiful pictures you’ve shared with us, Faith. That castle looks so magical. I love the shot of the top of it. It’s peaceful places like these that make us appreciate our time away from the hustle and bustle of a noisy city life.

    Reply
  17. Veronica says

    June 7, 2011 at 12:43 am

    Breathtaking views! I bet it felt quite extraordinary to see and stand in something built nearly 1,000 years ago! And to imagine all the history that took place within those walls! Astounding. So pretty, too! I love your photography.

    Reply
  18. Joanne says

    June 7, 2011 at 4:51 am

    These are some breathtaking photos, Faith! I can’t believe you got so up close and personal to structures with so much history!

    Reply
  19. FOODESSA says

    June 7, 2011 at 4:56 am

    Syria is certainly incredibly enchanting…especially since I managed to steal a peek at some of your past posts. Stunning landscapes surrounds such interesting historical architecture.

    Btw…the roasted carrot and lentil soup looked like something I’ll be making very soon.
    Also…a small comment about that fabulous Red-velvet celebratory cake…wow, especially for two persons who apparently are sweet tooths. LOL

    Glad to be back to visualizing and appreciating your experience and views of our culinary world ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

    Reply
  20. Blond Duck says

    June 7, 2011 at 5:57 am

    I want to live in a castle!

    Reply
  21. Bizzy says

    June 7, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Fabulous photos. They show such strength. The first one, standing there, facing the world below speaks volumes. What a nice break from food. Thanks, Faith.

    Reply
  22. Bizzy says

    June 7, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Fabulous photos.

    They show strength and speak volumes. This was a nice intermission from looking at food.

    Reply
  23. Krista says

    June 7, 2011 at 8:01 am

    How beautiful is that? Looks like you had a gorgeous day to take full advantage of the sights!

    Reply
  24. marla {family fresh cooking} says

    June 7, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Thanks for taking me on this beautiful journey this morning Faith…love seeing your travel photos.

    Reply
  25. Fiona says

    June 7, 2011 at 8:17 am

    Amazing! Beautiful pics Faith. I want to make a trip to Syria too.
    Thankfully it’s not too far away from where I am. I love the greenery and the old-fashioned buildings.
    Your trip must have been out of this world….

    Reply
  26. nancy at good food matters says

    June 7, 2011 at 8:29 am

    thank you for sharing these remarkable pictures, Faith. It is unlikely that I will visit Syria, but now I’ve gotten another glimpse of your special journey.

    Reply
  27. Angie's Recipes says

    June 7, 2011 at 8:51 am

    The castle looks amazing! Thanks for sharing those photos with us.

    Reply
  28. pachecopatty says

    June 7, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Beautiful pictures, looks like a fascinating castle to explore and the views are stunning as well. Thanks for sharing Faith;-)

    Reply
  29. Krista says

    June 7, 2011 at 11:53 am

    WOW!! Absolutely STUNNING photos, Faith. :-) Perusing these just makes my heart want to burst with happiness. :-) I feel like I’ve escaped my office and had a delightful wander in Syria. Love it. :-)

    Reply
  30. [email protected] says

    June 7, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    I love such places- the scenic beauty & gorgeous architecture always attracts me.We have a state in northern India which is full of such old castles.No wonder it is one of my fav spots to hangi around!Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  31. Emily @Cleanliness says

    June 7, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    These photos are GORGEOUS!!!!!

    Reply
  32. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says

    June 7, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Ohmygosh I would looooooove to take paul here! He drags me to military forts all the time and would LOVE exploring this castlej

    Reply
  33. Nicole, RD says

    June 7, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    STUNNING! I saw this post pop up in my inbox this morning and I read it as I was waking up this morning, but I’m glad I returned to see the photos full-sized. So, so pretty!

    Reply
  34. Lisa says

    June 7, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    Wow—breathtaking! I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like to see in person!

    Reply
  35. Carolyn Jung says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    How impressive that castle is. And what good shape it’s still in. I love exploring places like that because you truly feel like you’re stepping back in time.

    Reply
  36. Priscilla - She's Cookin' says

    June 11, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    I’ve never been to Syria, but through your breathtaking photos, feel as if I’m standing within the walls of this castle, awestruck by its history. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos from your trip!

    Reply
  37. Anna Johnston says

    June 12, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    stunning….. awesome. I love it when my bloggie friends take me with them on their travels like this. The castle is amazing isn’t it, you can just feel the centuries of people & its inhabitants still bustling around the old stones huh. 1000 horses huh! Incredible.

    Reply

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Hello! I’m Faith and I write An Edible Mosaic. This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics, with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. I focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home. Welcome to my mosaic of recipes.

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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