| | Name: Krak des Chevallier
Location:
Country: Syria
Review
this castle
Michel Akras, 28, from Syria, wrote: |
The Krak Des Chevaliers is the best
preserved castle in Syria. It is in a valley called "Wadii
Nasara" which is a well known valley that has preserved its Christian
origins. |
Tom Davies, 31, from Pittsburgh, PA, USA,
wrote: |
This is one of the greatest castles from
the crusader era. The castle is in excellent condition, since it was never
taken by force. The Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller resided here
and headquartered the order from there for many years. The castle was
designed to hold a garrison of 2000 men, so you can imagine the scale of
the structure. One can even see architectural influence from the later
Arab inhabitants. The fortifications are most impressive, with inner and
outer walls. The castle's command of the surrounding valleys is
incredible. The view is breath-taking. From the top of the Grand Master's
tower, you can barely see a Knight's Templar Keep in distant Safita.
Entrance fees are approx. $6 US. There are souvenirs available outside,
and there is a restaurant and shop inside as well. All of the locals are
very friendly and are as helpful as possible, though it can sometimes be
difficult finding someone that speaks English. I highly recommend traveling
in Syria, as it is very inexpensive and the scenery is beautiful. The
hardest part is getting to Syria! If you are at all interested in Crusader
Castles, this one is a MUST SEE! Don't miss it if you are ever in Syria. |
Dave, 16, from Canada, wrote: |
This castle was very interesting to do a
historical scenario on. As of yet it is still being worked on (should be
up and online by Jan 12, 2001). It will be a fictional choose your own
path style scenario about how to successfully siege the fortress of the
crusaders, but will still have links, and actual facts still on the site.
If you have any additional information, please let me know, It would
really help, and when the web page is finished, I will repost it's address
here. Thanks again, and I can't wait until I am older so I can visit this
great place on my own |
Edmund King, 10, from UK, Oxford, wrote: |
I really loved looking around Krak
Des Chevaliers in Syria. I thought it was a remarkable castle and was in
very good condition for a castle about 800 years old! I think it would
have been one of the greatest stone structures ever built |
Pontus Tyrling, 19, Sweden, wrote: |
This castle is the mightiest thing
iIever saw. A minus is the roads you use to get up there but when you are
there itīs worth it. The castle is very big and the halls are huge, with
both tracks from the Christian and Muslim period if your ever in Syria go
there. |
Ursula von Eberback, UK. wrote: |
Biggest of the Crusader castles of the kingdom of Outremer,
Krak des Chevallier (The cstle of the Knights) was held by the order of St
John of Jerusalem (The Hospitallers) all during the 12th CEntury and was
one of the last castles to be abandoned to the Turks when the Latin
Kingdom fell. Still almost entirely intact, it stands on a high bluff which commands the
territory for miles around. Views are spectacular and ther is a real
sense of history here, in the vast cavernous halls, the dim passageways
sheltering you from the merciless heat of the sun. Almost you can
hear the clink of chain mail still echoing down the centuries. If you ever want to really get a feel for the era of the Crusades and get
to the Holy Land, this is one place you must visit. |
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