One of the greatest Crusader castles located on a 650m (2130ft) cliff sits on a strategic corridor from Antioch – Syria to Beirut and the Mediterranean sea. It’s name Krak des Chevaliers translated from the mixture of Arabic and French means Fortress of the Knights, and is one of the world’s greatest masterpieces of military architecture.
It encompasses an area of 3000sq m(32300 Sq ft), has 13 huge towers with the outer wall 30m(100ft) thick. It also houses many cisterns, stores, bridges and stables.
In its operating times it could accommodate 5000 soldiers together with their horses, equipment and provisions to withstand a five years siege.
The fortress is one of the few sites of Crusader frescoes preserved. The English king Edward I, used the basis of this fortress to build his own castles in England and Wales.
The Krak des Chevaliers is one of the best preserved fortresses in the world, the view from its towers is absolutely stunning, and its interior and surroundings will surely bring to life the fantasy castle you dreamed of as a kid.
