Crusader
Muslim
Assassins
Offers an extensive database of links to all things Castle related
Site Constructed
18 February 2001
Modified
Archaeologists
and
Web Designers
Medieval Era Archaeological Sites
Crusader Era Sites in Greater Syria
Qalaat Al-Kahf
1132 Built by local Arabs
1140 Sold to Ismaelis
1164 to 1190 Headquarters of Rashid al-Din Sinan "Old Man of the Mountains"
1197 Henry of Champagne visits; reputed to be the event when two Assassins jump to their death at Sinan's beckon
1273 Mamluk Baybars captures the castle
Entrance way through a carved tunnel
Roman/Byzantine niche inside of tunnel
Mysterious red hand prints on the inside walls of the castle's steam bath
One of several Arabic inscriptions inside the castle
Walls of the castle are largely obscured by scrub vegetation
GPS information for al-Kahf
1. Weli (Saint's grave) west of castle that some believe is Sinan's tomb
North 35o 02.560' and East 036o 05.358'
Approximate elevation of 1557 ft.
2. Western tower of the castle
North 35o 02.444' and East 036o 04.920'
Approximate elevation of 1517 ft.
3. Looters pit in south half of site
North 35o 02.433' and East 036o 05.093'
Approximate elevation 1526 ft.
4. Kufic Arabic inscription no. 3
N 35o 02.495' and East 036o 04.942'
Approximate elevation of 1454 feet
5. Kufic Arabic inscription no. 2
North 35o 02.471' and East 036o 04.977'
Approximate elevation of 1413 ft.
6. Gate and Kufic Arabic inscription no. 1
North 35o 02.473' and East 036o 05.090'
Approximate elevation of 1395 ft.
7. Large Cistern
North 35o 02.446' and East 035o 05.070
Approximate elevation of 1419 ft.
8. Central tall tower/don jon
North 35o 02.457' and East 036o 05.086'
Approximate elevation of 1541 ft.
9. Eastern Tower
North 35o 02.450' and East 036o 05.107'
Approximate elevation of 1472 ft.
10. Tunnel like feature
North 35o 02.471' and East 036o 04.990'
Approximate elevation of 1447 ft.
