Krak des Chevaliers Travel Guide
Travel to Krak des Chevaliers - Impressive Crusader Castle
- Ratings:
- Be the first to rate this.
-
Reviews:
-
Be the first to write a review
Krak des Chevaliers is without doubt one of the most impressive and best preserved Crusader castles to be found anywhere in the world. Sat in a dominant position it was one of a chain of fortresses that guarded the Levant in the 13th century.
Accessible best on a guided visit its lonely position guarding the Homs Gap belies the number of people that it afforded protection to and it remains an icon of Syria and with Palmyra and Aleppo is an unmissable site for anyone travelling through Syria.
Called Qal'at al-Hosn today the Krak des Chevaliers – the Castle of the Knights - sits 65 km west of Homs and 75 south-east of Tartus atop a ridge 650m above sea-level. It was built in order to control the so-called "Homs Gap", the gateway to Syria, through which Syria communicated with the Mediterranean and rest of the world.
The early history of a fortress on the site is not well known but a structure was given to a Kurdish garrison by the Amir of Aleppo in 1031. This castle was taken over by the Count of Toulouse in 1099 and then by the Latin prince Tancred in 1110, passing to the Knights Hospitallers in 1142, for the defense against the threat of Zengi of Aleppo. Damaged by earthquakes it was rebuilt in its final form in the 13th century and only fell to the Mameluke Sultan Baibars who tricked the garrison into surrender by forging a letter supposedly from the Crusader commander in Tripoli saying they should surrender.
Attractions in Krak des Chevaliers
Grand and intimidating from the outside the south side of the Krak was the most vulnerable and on capturing it Sultan Baibars added a strong bastion to it. The western side has a large wall and five cylindrical strengthening it. The defensive plan famously features two separate lines of defence with an outer curtained wall with several cylindrical towers, and what is today known as the inner ring, separated for the outer wall by a ditch.
The entrance has a wide ramp and a vaulted passage that leads you to the outer ring and on to a platform that links the outer and inner castles. There is a small chapel, transformed into a mosque by Baibars, and inside one can see a mihrab, pointing the way to Mecca and three minbar, or pulpits. Opposite the chapel are three towers designed to strengthen the south wall. The weakest of these towers was occupied by the Grand Master of the Order: a spiral staircase takes you into his room.
The third and arguably most impressive tower is linked to the keep from where fury could be rained down on the enemy. Known as the “Tower of the King's Daughter” a structure in the northwest dates back to the 12th century, its upper elements much later.
In total the citadel covers an area of 3000 square meters and in addition to the above has many stores, tanks, corridors, bridges and stables. It could accommodate 5000 soldiers with their horses, their equipment and provisions for five years and for this reason is one of the world’s most important medieval structures.
Activities in Krak des Chevaliers
Allow 3 hours to explore the fortress, preferably with a local guide who will be able to tell you its significant history.
Relaxing
Enjoy refreshments in the Krak’s little restaurant.
Getting Around
Getting to the castle by public transport is laborious and can be expensive. Far better to use the services of a local Travel Expert.
Krak des Chevaliers Reviews
Why not be the first and add your review below?
