Qal'at al-Hosn

One of the five fortifications rebuilt by the Crusaders between 1142 and 1271 stood proud and majestic perched on a hill surrounded by farmland and neighbouring villages. The site was first inhabited by the Kurds in the 11th century. Krac des Chevaliers also known as Qal'at al-Hosn is a most spectacular reminder of one of the most turbulent times in the history of Syria. During the 11th century the influence of the papacy and the religious confrontation between Christianity and Islam in Europe was a driving force towards spreading the influence of the Roman Church authority in the east. Mamluk Sultan Baibars captured the castle in 1271. He was one of the most renowned of the Mamluk Sultans of Egypt and Syria. He united Muslim Syria and Egypt into one commanding state and defended it from the Mongols and Crusaders. He managed to help the Mamluks to considerably expand their rule.

My good friend Saha, her husband Samir, Fawaz, Azzam, Yasmin and myself visited the Knights Templar stronghold one hot summer's day. It was a three hour drive to the castle situated east of the Mediterranean seaside town of Tartus in the Homs Gap. The steep and winding stairway leading into the main body of the castle was difficult to traverse but well worth the effort as the vista from the summit took my breath away. We walked along the jarred and rugged stones that formed the top of the citadel where the soldiers, armed with their weaponry, would have long ago defended their fortress.

The castle was only accessible from the south and lies on the spur of a hill, hence called a 'spur' castle. It also resembles a 'concentric' castle' which has the outer wall lower than the inner wall and thus can be defended from it. It resembles one castle built inside another.

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