Crusader Sites in Syria

Crusader Muslim Assassins Castles on the Web Offers an extensive database of links to all things Castle related Site Constructed 18 February 2001 Modified Neathery and Michael Fuller, Archaeologists and Web Designers		Medieval Era Archaeological Sites Crusader Era Sites in Greater Syria
		Krak of the Knights/ Le Crac des Chevaliers/ Hisn al-Akrad ("Castle of the Kurds")

	1011 Emir of Homs places a garrison of Kurdish troops at the site 1099 Crusaders capture castle on their march to Jerusalem but do not stay. 1102 Crusaders besiege Krak, but it does not fall. June 1109 Tancred, Prince of Antioch, occupied the small fortress 1112 Castled acquired by Counts of Tripoli 1115 Besieged by Alp Arslan, Sultan of Aleppo, but it does not fall 1142 Guillaume de Cratum leaves castle after Couny Raymond II of Tripoli cedes the Krak to the Hospitallers. Significant rebuilding of the walls. 1153 Attacked by Nur ed-Ein Sultan of Damascus 1163 Arab attack upon Krak, it does not fall 1167 Arab attack upon Krak, it does not fall 1169/70 Second phase of rebuilding paid for by King Vladislas of Bohemia. Chapel built during this phase 1188 besieged by Saladdin, but it does not fall 1201/2 Earthquakes damage defenses and they are rebuilt 1207 Aleppo Emir attacks 1218 Aleppo Emir attacks 1229 Aleppo Emir attacks 1252 Aleppo Emir attacks 1267 Sultan Baibars attacks smaller outlying castles in region 1270 Sultan Bairbars sieges the Krak 8 April 1271 Krak falls to Al-Zaher Baybars. Two towers constructed on south side 1285 Large Rectangular tower added on south face of the outer wall. Inscription dedicated to Sultan Qala-un. 1800 Arab village grows inside of castle. Damage to the castle 1927 Arab village moved out of castle by French

	Inner Moat Tower 9 near inner moat Lion Relief on Tower 9 Closeup of Lion Relief on Tower 9 Huge interior space created by vault inside of fortress 23 Towers of the Inner ward Minbar built inside chapel after recapture by Muslims Castle toilets? David Hanlon fine art photograph of Krak from a distance David Hanlon fine art photograph of interior doorway in Krak David Hanlon fine art photograph of interior storeroom in Krak David Hanlon fine art photograph of steps from gate into outer ring of walls David Hanlon fine art photograph of the Northwest tower of the inner keep David Hanlon fine art photograph of the warden's room in castle David Hanlon fine art photograph of the porch of the Gothic loggia David Hanlon fine art photograph of the details of the loggia David Hanlon fine art photograph of the tower vaults

	GPS DATA for Krak 1. Famous Latin inscription North 34o 45.438' and East 036o 17.691 Approximate elevation of 2292 ft. above sea level 2. East side of the Interior moat North 34o45.375' and East 036o 17.705' approximate elevation of 2259 ft 3. West side of Interior moat North 34o45.375' and East 036o 17.656' approximate elevation of 2239 ft. 4. Tower 13 on southwest edge of castle North 35o 45.381' and East 035o 17.638' approximate elevation of 2281 ft. 5. Junction of Aqueduct with castle wall North 34o 45.372' and East 036o 17.644' approximate elevation of 2239 ft. 6. Entrance to Castle on east side North 34o 45.436' and East 036o 17.746' approximate elevation of 1998 ft. 7. Mamluk Tower North 34o 45.361' and East 036o 17.673' approximate elevation of 2254 ft. 8. Tower of the Princess North 34o 45.446' and East 036o 17.681' approximate elevation of 2132 ft. 9. Turn off road to Krak below castle North 34o 41.898' and East 036o 18.066' approximate elevation of 892 ft.