Imagine yourself on the heights of an old fortress, looking out over gentle hills and foggy valleys, sensing the whispers of a thousand years of history beneath you.Welcome to Krak des Chevaliers, a medieval castle that is more than just a structure; it is a time capsule filled with stories of conflicts, sieges, and knightly honor.
Located near Homs in Syria, this UNESCO World Heritage site has seen the rise and fall of empires. Constructed by the Crusaders in the 12th century, it evolved into a nearly invulnerable fortress, providing refuge for knights and warriors who influenced the fate of the area. However, beyond its sturdy walls, there is an experience that every traveler should have at least once. This fortress has been the site of numerous battles, conquests, and significant historical events over the centuries. Moreover, let’s take a brief look at its history.
In 1142, the Knights Hospitaller, a Christian military order, seized control of the castle. They renovated and fortified it, transforming Krak des Chevaliers into one of the most formidable fortresses in the Middle East. The castle could accommodate as many as 2,000 soldiers and featured robust stone walls, defensive towers, and a deep moat to thwart enemy assaults. It played a crucial role in safeguarding the Crusader states and acted as a launch point for military operations. Despite facing numerous assaults, it remained under Crusader control for more than a hundred years.
In 1271, the Muslim Mamluk Sultan Baibars launched a siege on Krak des Chevaliers. Following an extended conflict, the Crusaders surrendered, and the fortress was incorporated into the Mamluk Empire. The Mamluks then restored the castle and utilized it as a military stronghold.
Following the Mamluk era, Krak des Chevaliers slowly diminished in significance and was largely deserted by the 19th century. However, in the 20th century, its historical value was acknowledged by historians and archaeologists, prompting efforts to preserve it. Today, Krak des Chevaliers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as a testament to medieval military architecture. Despite suffering damage from the previous conflicts, it still draws visitors and researchers from across the globe. From the Crusaders to the Mamluks, this fortress has endured through the ages, telling stories of fascinating history.
In contrast to numerous medieval castles that have deteriorated over the years, Krak des Chevaliers remains a magnificent structure. Its impressive halls, towering walls, and concealed passageways still share stories from history. Walk through the expansive courtyards and imagine the knights planning their next battle.
Make your way to the tallest towers for a breathtaking view that spans from the Syrian plains to the Mediterranean Sea. The sunset view? Truly mesmerizing.
Krak des Chevaliers (Qal’at al-Hosn) is a remarkable example of military architecture from the 12th to 13th centuries and stands as the most important castle constructed by the Crusaders in the Near East, notable for its high-quality construction and outstanding preservation. It is the largest fortress built by European crusaders in Syria and is recognized as one of the most significant remaining examples of medieval military architecture.
A trip to Krak des Chevaliers goes beyond just exploring the castle; in fact, it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of Syria. The nearby villages provide a taste of genuine local cuisine, featuring everything from freshly baked manakish to some of the most delicious Syrian dishes you will ever try.
At Syria Scope Travel, we ensure that your trip to Krak des Chevaliers is smooth, secure, and memorable. With our expert-guided tours and personalized itineraries, we guarantee that you won’t just see the castle, you’ll experience its history. Are you prepared to tread the paths of knights and legends? Let’s make your dream journey a reality. Contact us today!
Discover Syrian Heritage with Syria Scope Travel in a whole new way. Visit Syria this season.Don’t wait any longer; schedule your trip to Syria today!
For more information about Syria, please get in touch with us today! Alternatively, check out our extensive range of group Syria tours.
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Josh 2024-06-23 Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria 2024-06-23 An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer 2024-05-31 Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas 2024-05-31 I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi 2024-05-21 I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara 2024-05-20 Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao 2024-05-20 Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba 2024-05-19 Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato 2024-05-18 Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon 2024-05-18 Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
