Krak des Chevaliers (Castle of the Knights)
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Krak des Chevaliers is one of the great Syrian Crusader fortresses. In excellent repair it is considered by many to be one of the most complete pieces of military architecture dating from this period in history. It also holds some of the best preserved Crusader frescoes in the world. The first fortress on this site was finished around 1030. When the Crusaders arrived in Syria in 1099 it was taken and passed around before being settled and built on by the Knights Hospitaller (second only in fame and prestige to the Knights Templar.) in could hold around 2,000 men and with it’s strong, turreted defending wall it became a model for many later British Castles. It has two concentric walls with a ditch between them, the outer wall an impressive three meters in width and originally featured a dry moat and drawbridge and was designed to be able to withstand a siege lasting up to five years, luckily the Hospitallers were never called upon to test this claim, but they did tunnel impressive storage space into the cliffs below the fort and all siege attempts failed. As well as the defences and the art there are notable religious buildings making up the complex including a chapel which was converted into a mosque. Some of the internal architecture is interestingly Gothic, as was the French style at the time and includes a grand spiral staircase and high vaulted rooves suspended on grand columns.
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Review by expert member ‘Krak des Chevaliers’Author Paul Theroux described Krak des Chevaliers (French for "Fortress of Knights") ... Read more » Review by press. ‘A Tour of the Ancient World in Syria’By James Blachowicz for The New York Times First published March 4, 1990 You can spend an ... Read more » Review by press. ‘Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din’These two castles represent the most significant examples illustrating the exchange of influences ... Read more » Review by press. Have you been here? Why not add your own review. |
Photo by flickr user James Gordon
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