ABOUT SYRIA - CRAC DES CHEVALIERS
The spirit of the Crusades survives in a 12th century
castle in Syria, in the most extraordinary of all Crusader strongholds in the
Middle East.
About two hours from Damascus, one can see silhouetted against the blue sky at
the pinacle of a stone mountain the citadel and massive walls of the mightiest
and best preserved castle Crac des Chevaliers. Known in Arabic as Qala'at al-Husn,
it stands 650 meters above sea level and was built to dominate the pass that is
Syria's gateway to the Mediterranean.
Captured from the Arabs, who initially built it in the late 11th century, the
castle was extended and strengthened by the Hospitallers --a fighting monastic
order. They controlled it for 127 years as a monastery, a marshaling center for
men and horses and storehouse for food, water and other provisions. Enough supplies
were stored to last a 3,000 man army for up to five years. It was recaptured in
the late 12th century by al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn-al-Din Baybars, the Mameluk Sultan
who was the real founder ofMameluk power.
Today, the barbicans, casements and bastions tower over the rich fig and olive
orchards of the valley below. After walking through the entrance, the visitor
can see the small town, housed inside the citadel, with a church and chapel, aqueducts,
cisterns, courtyards, stables, living quarters and large halls. Historians state
that its completeness, setting, size and sheer magnificence make it the finest
example of military fortification in the world.
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