Crusader Sites in Syria

Crusader Muslim Assassins Castles on the Web Offers an extensive database of links to all things Castle related Site Constructed 27 June 2004 Modified Neathery and Michael Fuller, Archaeologists and Web Designers		Crusader Era Sites - Middle East
		Giblet/Byblos/ Jebail

	28 April 1103 Raymond de St. Gilles captures the town with the aid of Genoese ships. Ugo Umbriaco administers the town on behalf of Raymond and Genoa. Crusader castle during 12th century. 1188 Hugh III de Giblet surrenders his town and castle as ransom to Salahadin. 1190 Salahadin orders dismantling of defensive walls as Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa) approaches. 1197 Guy I de Gilbet regains the castle and rebuild the defenses. 1112 to 1137 Pons, son of Berterand reigns during a time of constant warfare with Urturkids. He is killed in battle by Damascene forces under Beza Uch.. 1369 Cypriot ships sailing from Famagusta raid the town.

	Plan of the castle. Cross Section diagram of the castle. Bridge leading into the castle and entrance. Sallyport at the foot of a bastion. Decorations above the western door of the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Attached column of Crusader design inside the castle. Vaults inside of the castle. School kids on the paraport of the castle. Donjon inside of castle. Square tower on the outer fortification wall. Gate in the outer fortification wall. Tourist shops line of the streets inside the fortified portion of the town. Mosque and minaret just outside of the castle walls. Exterior view of apses to the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Modern sign outside the renamed Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Bell tower and open entrance to the Crusder Church of John the Baptist. West side door to the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Wilted white roses outside the western door of the Crusader Church of John the Baptist Decorations above the western door of the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Another door to the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Outside window of the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Crusader Church of John the Baptist, outer dome. Interior of the Crusader Church of John the Baptist Interior of the Crusader Church of John the Baptist Interior view of apse in the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Interior view of windows in the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Interior view of the altar in the Cruader Church of John the Bapitist. Interior view of the vaulted ceiling in the Crusader Church of John the Baptist. Entrance to the harbor. Ruins of harbor castle. More ruins of harbor castles Harbor, ruined small castles and fishing boats. Fishermen mending nets at harborside. Late Byzantine/Early Islamic lamp in the castle museum. Early Roman lamp of the Herodian variety in the castle museum. Lebanese television personality dressed in Medieval/Ancient garb at Byblos castle.

	GPS DATA for Byblos Castle 1. Entrance to castle North 34 degrees 07.220' and East 35 degrees 38.773' Approximate elevation of 27 meters above sea level. 2. Tower North 34 degrees 07.177' and East 35 degrees 38.769' Approximate elevation of 44 meters above sea level. 3. Crusader church of St. John the Baptist North 34 degrees 07.296' and East 35 degrees 38.692' Approximate elevation of 25 meters above sea level.