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Author
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Topic: Crusader Castles in Lebanon
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Kevin Mc Donald
Member
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posted 03-29-2006 01:27 AM
  
Hi Folks
I am at present serving in the Middle East and have an interest in Crusader castles. I was recently in Chateau Beaufort and noticed a mix of both Crusader and Arabic stonework, if anyone has a ground plan or a suggested sequence of construction I would appreciate it, there is also a small unusual castle situated in Wadi Saluki approx. 20km South of Beaufort. This is known locally as Castle Dangeruse (most likely due to the various armed groups that have used it in more recent times) and appears to have a rock cut ditch/moat at the main approach, but the main doorway is situated towards the rear of the castle with what looks like an internal machilotation above the doorway!!
Any ideas on what this castle is would be welcome.
Regards
Kevin |
- Tutis -
Member
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posted 03-29-2006 06:18 AM
Hi Kevin,
I was in South Lebanon 1994/95, and in service. (UNIFIL,Norbatt, Ebel es saqi/blate). In the Irish sector (beleive it is Irish to day to ;-) ), there is a small city called Tibnine with a castle from the crusader epoke. It is worth a peek i think. (built by crusader Prince Hugh de Saint Omer 1104 - 1108) Not many peapole have been there.
When it comes to chateau Beaufort, (Belfort), it was built by the Knights Templar during the same epoke, later conqered by the muslims, (might expl. arabic influence.). later on suffered much damage during the conflict in the 1985 (castle was used by PLO i think).
Hope this was to some little help.
Best castle regards
Henning - tutis -
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Kevin Mc Donald
Member
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posted 03-29-2006 06:51 AM
Hi Tutis
I was also here with UNIFIL in Irishbatt but am now with UNTSO as an unarmed observer. The Irish battallion departed in 2000. I have been in Tibnin castle a few times and it is an interesting one, Beaufort however is much more intriguing and definately has a few different periods (leaving aside the PLO, DFF, SLA and IDF periods)
If I get a chance I will post a few pics of the castles.
Regards
Kevin |
- Tutis -
Member
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posted 03-29-2006 12:22 PM
Hi Kevin
Take a look at http://www.lebanon.com/tourism/nabatieh.htm (you prob. have :-) ),...."some scholars are of the opinion that it is older. It has been suggested that the monument was already standing when the Crusaders arrived."..., As i know from Rhodes, Kos, Lesvos etc. Crusaders allways used what they had for hand, often can you see parts of old buildings etc. in their castle walls. But anyway, good luck, its an interesting sub.ps. This can be usefull to. http://www2.prestel.co.uk/church/oosj/castle.htm castle regards
henning |
Queuxgropius
Senior Member
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posted 08-12-2007 04:24 PM
You can find some good images of Beaufort here. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=beaufort+castle&z=t&page=2
and here http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=beaufort+castle&z=t |
Huss
Member
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posted 11-11-2008 01:18 PM
Hi all,
Also spent some years with UNIFIL with the Swedish mine clearing team stationed in Jwayya (near Tyre where there is a lot of interesting Roman historical sites, Saida is also a place of interest). I agree that Tibnin Castle is intersting too. Here is an interesting link about Beaufort with some historical info. http://cipa.icomos.org/fileadmin/papers/antalya/90.pdf
On a weekend leave skiing in the Golan Heights we passed a crusader castle which I unfortuntaly cannot recognize the name of, but i was impressive and looked well pre-served.
By the way, there is a rather steep hillside on the open plain close to Marjayoun supposedly the site of an ancient city/fortification. Does anyone have info on that?
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duncan
Senior Member
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posted 12-27-2008 04:42 PM
Most of the original fortified sites in the middle east, at least, date back to the earlier occupation by Rome and being re-worked by whom ever held it over the years.
I'm unfamiliar with Empires that came before the Roman's in that area but I wouldn't be a bit surprised that there were a few.Thanks for the posts! |
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