The ancient battles of the Crusades continue to be an infamous war even in modern times. With few relics of the period still standing, travelers in Syria have the opportunity to visit one of the 12th century's finest Crusade-era castles, the Krak des Chevaliers.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Krak des Chevaliers was built between 1142 and 1271. Visitors have commented that the castle's craftsmanship alone is worth seeing because it has not changed much in appearance since its creation nearly a millennium ago. The moat that still surrounds the fortress is usually filled with water, which in ancient times was used to fill the on-site baths. Visitors to Krak des Chevaliers will find that a headlamp is often needed to explore the more cavernous rooms of this epic castle, so travelers should equip themselves with appropriate lighting.
The towers of Krak des Chevaliers are numerous and vary in their design, so climbing each set of stairs provides fun side trips. The Tower of the Princess holds a projecting gallery where stones were thrown on enemies below, while the southwest tower holds ancient Arabic carvings from the castle's earliest inhabitants.
Embark on the Crusades at Krak des Chevaliers
Posted on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
