Al- Hosn Citadel

(ST) – Al- Hosn Citadel is one of the biggest and most wonderful citadels in the world which dates to the medieval ages. It is also the most clear witness to the military architecture of that period where the Crusaders and Moslems military techniques combine together. It is believed that the citadel was one of the military fortifications of the second millennium B.C.

Tablets discovered at Al Amareneh Hill show that emperor Thrtoms III defeated the army of the citadel during his campaign between 1479- 1425 B.C. Late in the 10th century  A. D., the Crusaders conquered Al- Hosn Citadel, added many things to the site, but they didn’t build it.

Al- Hosn Citadel lies on the highest peak of the coastal mountains covering an area of land of more than 3 hectares. There are 13 towers and an internal fort which is surrounded by a defense trench having its own entrance that leads to an external gate through a secret corridor.

The internal fort includes the tower of Bint Al- Malik (The King’s daughter), a restaurant, the Royal Palace and a large hall about 120 meters long, water storage tanks, the leader’s hall, guards’ rooms, a church and a mosque. Sultan Qalawon tower is the most prominent among the other existing towers. It was built in 1285 A.D.

Historical documents show that more than 4000 soldiers used to live in the citadel in addition to the King’s guards, ministers and servants.

In fact, the citadel today is a mixture of two military architectures: The Crusaders” architecture and Islamic military architecture. The citadel was the position that controlled the Syrian coast and the internal plains of Syria.

Sh. Kh.