1474:
567:. Under Sunqur, the castle became the administrative center of a small semi-independent emirate. In late 1286 and early 1287, Qalawun set out to repress his rivals which including curtailing Sunqur's independence. To this end the sultan sent an army under the command of Turuntay to establish a siege at Sahyun. Turuntay sent a message to Sunqur, saying that if he surrendered the sultan would pardon him; Sunqur refused and so the siege began. It soon became apparent that Sunqur's men could not hold the castle, and so in April he surrendered.
103:
444:
642:
ditch. This keep has walls of 5 m thick and it covers an area of nearly 24 m. Further on to the north is the gate where the drawbridge used to be. Also evident are the
Byzantine citadel, located at the center of the fortress, another large cistern, the Crusader tea house, and a Crusader church adjoining one of two Byzantine chapels. As for the Arab additions to the fortress, they include a mosque, which dates back to Qalawun's reign, and a palace, which includes baths with courtyards and
626:
657:
456:
80:
110:
694:
535:
Az-Zahir assaulted the castle town adjoining the castle's west, and the inhabitants sought refuge in the castle. The castle and town were supposed to be separated by a ditch, however at the north end the digging remained unfinished. Exploiting this, Az-Zahir successfully stormed the castle walls. The inner courtyard was overrun and the garrison retreated to the
633:
Sahyun was built on a ridge some 700 metres (2,300 ft) long between two deep gorges. It guarded the route between
Latakia and the city of Antioch. The spur on which the castle is built is connected to a plateau in the east. The Byzantines defended the site by building a wall across the east side
539:
or keep. Before the day ended they agreed terms with their attackers and were allowed to ransom themselves. Though Sahyun was a strong castle, it fell in just three days. Kennedy speculates that, despite being well-provisioned, the fortress may have surrendered been because its garrison was not large
641:
The entrance to the castle is through an entrance on the south side of the fortress. On the right of the entrance is a tower, a bastion built by the
Crusaders. There is another a few meters further. There is a cistern for water storage and some stables just next to a massive keep that overlooks the
534:
on the plateau opposite the castle's east side while his son was set up facing the north of the castle's lower enclosure. Stones weighing between 50 and 300 kilograms (110 and 660 lb) hurled at the castle for two days, causing significant damage. On 29 July, the order to attack was given.
612:
which began in 2011 UNESCO voiced concerns that the conflict might lead to the damage of important cultural sites such as
Citadel of Salah Ed-Din. As of 2016 the castle survived the Syrian Civil War without any significant damage. In 2023, one of the fortified towers was destroyed during the
634:
of the ridge. The walls created an irregular enclosure and were studded with flanking towers. Adjacent to the fortification, at the eastern end of the ridge was a settlement. One of the most magnificent features of the fortress is the 28 m deep ditch, which was cut into
503:, who built the Crusader castle around the previous Byzantine fortifications. Most of what is evident today was built at this time. The fortress was notable as being one of the few which were not entrusted to the major military orders of the
638:. The creation of the ditch has been attributed to the Byzantines. This ditch, which runs 156 meters along the east side, is 14 to 20 meters wide and has a lonely 28 m high needle to support the drawbridge.
378:
after a three-day siege. The castle was again besieged in 1287, this time both defender and belligerent were
Mamluks. In 2006, the castles of Qal'at Salah El-Din and Krak des Chevaliers were recognised as a
1473:
585:
After the
Ottoman conquest in Syria, Sahyun became an Ottoman fortress. A 16th century Chinese text's description of a "city with two walls" between Tartus and Aleppo seems to match the citadel Sahyun.
1535:
1293:
1162:
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1458:
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374:. The Crusaders undertook an extensive building programme, giving the castle much of its current appearance. In 1188 it fell to the forces of
551:, Mankawar (also known as "Mankurus ibn Khumartigin"). The pair descended through the latter's heirs until 1272 when Sahyun was given to the
1510:
287:
1155:
499:, who is recorded in control of it since at least 1119. Sahyun remained in his family until 1188. It was most likely Robert or his son,
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133:
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1540:
17:
1505:
1148:
1171:
1065:
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710:
463:
The site has been fortified since at least the mid-10th century, and its first known occupant was a dependent of the
582:(r. 1273–1331), noted that a town was established adjacent to Sahyun. In later decades, however, Sahyun was abandoned.
609:
1083:
1047:
854:"Between the Islamic and Chinese Universal Empires: The Ottoman Empire, Ming Dynasty, and Global Age of Explorations"
704:
574:. The castle remained significant and prosperous under the Mamluks until at least the late 14th century. The emir of
614:
479:
captured Sahyun in 975 from its
Hamdanid ruler, and it remained under Byzantine control until around 1108 when the
102:
1104:
Chateaux de Syrie: Dossier de
Presentation en vue de l'inscription sur la Liste du Patrimoine Mondial de l'UNESCO
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to the castle. The Muslim forces adopted two positions outside the castle: Saladin established himself with his
362:
captured the site and it remained under
Byzantine control until around 1108. Early in the 12th century the
1251:
675:
1383:
899:
483:
took control of
Latakia, at which point it is likely they also took possession of Sahyun. It was part of the
254:
1074:
Morray, D. W. (1995), "Ṣahyūn", in Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W. P.; Pellat, Ch. (eds.),
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visited the castle, and describe it as "the most sensational thing in castle building I have ever seen."
1530:
1525:
1244:
495:. The lords of Sahyun were among the most powerful in Antioch. The first lord of Sahyun was probably
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1078:, vol. VIII: Ned–Sam (new ed.), Leiden and New York: Brill, pp. 850–851,
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31:
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Crusader Art in the Holy Land: From the Third Crusade to the Fall of Acre, 1187–1291
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354:, the site has been fortified since at least the mid 10th century. In 975 the
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Director-General of UNESCO appeals for protection of Syria's cultural heritage
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The castle is located roughly 25 kilometers (16 mi) northeast of
350:, in high mountainous terrain on a ridge between two deep ravines and
277:
942:
480:
419:, is why it has now been given the more politically correct title of
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assumed control of the site and it was part of the newly formed
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969:"Syrian Castle among Quake-Hit Ancient Sites at Risk"
1115:
Saade, G. (1968), "Histoire du château de Saladin",
559:. Some time in the 1280s, the dissident Mamluk emir
333:
570:Afterward, Sahyun was made part of the province of
1035:
1170:
1497:
1536:Buildings and structures in Latakia Governorate
387:. The site is owned by the Syrian government.
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1156:
50:
1516:Archaeological sites in Latakia Governorate
919:Crac des Chevaliers and Qal'at Salah El-Din
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1101:République arabe syrienne (January 2005),
1042:, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1017:, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
814:
781:
754:
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655:
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431:and their Frankish successors called it
346:town and 30 km east of the city of
338:), is a medieval castle in northwestern
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808:
796:
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687:
563:used the castle for refuge from Sultan
14:
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403:. The traditional name of the site is
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1114:
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1009:
993:
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526:, arrived at Sahyun with an army and
399:. The castle is close to the town of
109:
27:Medieval castle in northwestern Syria
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851:
390:
1511:Aga Khan Trust for Culture projects
910:
648:. This has been slightly restored.
540:enough or possessed siege engines.
323:
311:
51:
36:Castle of Saladin, Pharaoh's Island
24:
1207:Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
1093:
423:, meaning "Saladin's Castle". The
342:. It is located 7 km east of
25:
1557:
1129:
660:A panorama view of Sahyun Castle.
1472:
852:Chen, Yuan Julian (2021-10-11).
108:
101:
78:
1002:
987:
975:
961:
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858:Journal of Early Modern History
415:. This, according to historian
1541:World Heritage Sites in Danger
845:
833:
802:
742:
699:. Routledge. 23 October 2017.
676:World Heritage Sites in Danger
13:
1:
1506:World Heritage Sites in Syria
1172:World Heritage Sites in Syria
900:"Behind Syria's Stony Facade"
681:
971:. aawsat.com. 13 March 2023.
30:Not to be confused with the
7:
664:
620:
543:Saladin granted Sahyun and
334:
10:
1562:
1136:UNESCO Qal’at Salah El-Din
651:
514:On 27 July 1188, the
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225:UNESCO World Heritage Site
29:
1481:
1470:
1274:
1178:
1076:The Encyclopedia of Islam
870:10.1163/15700658-bja10030
447:The Levant in 1135, with
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1058:Unknown Crusader Castles
1056:Molin, Kristian (2001),
671:List of Crusader castles
475:. The Byzantine emperor
596:The citadel was made a
589:In early 20th century,
485:Principality of Antioch
372:Principality of Antioch
269:and Qal’at Salah El-Din
149:35.595833°N 36.057222°E
18:Citadel of Salah Ed-Din
1419:Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi
1414:Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi
661:
630:
608:, in 2006. During the
491:established after the
460:
452:
1294:Al-Sheikh Deeb Castle
1060:, London: Continuum,
659:
628:
458:
451:marked by a red cross
446:
314:), also known as the
352:surrounded by forest
154:35.595833; 36.057222
1339:Citadel of Damascus
1329:Krak des Chevaliers
1218:Qal’at Salah El-Din
1212:Crac des Chevaliers
1119:, 3rd (in French),
1110:(in French), UNESCO
713:on 22 November 2019
615:February earthquake
606:Krak des Chevaliers
598:World Heritage Site
459:Qal'at Salah al-Din
421:Qalʿat Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn
381:World Heritage Site
335:Qal'at Salah al-Din
267:Crac des Chevaliers
145: /
67:Latakia Governorate
1304:Bani Qahtan Castle
906:. 7 November 1999.
904:The New York Times
662:
631:
501:William of Zardana
487:, one of the four
461:
453:
427:referred to it as
274:Reference no.
32:Citadel of Saladin
1493:
1492:
1464:Citadel of Tartus
1454:Qalaat al-Shaghur
1334:Citadel of Aleppo
1234:
1233:
1224:
1216:
1067:978-1-85285-261-0
1024:978-0-521-83583-1
696:Crusades, book 16
391:Location and name
332:
316:Castle of Saladin
301:
300:
258:
181:Syrian government
16:(Redirected from
1553:
1531:Crusader castles
1526:Castles in Syria
1487:Castles in Syria
1476:
1268:Castles in Syria
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1254:
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1238:
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1222:
1214:
1191:Ancient City of
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1158:
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1038:Crusader Castles
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751:, pp. 84–85
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709:. Archived from
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561:Sunqur al-Ashqar
497:Robert the Leper
477:John I Tzimiskes
360:John I Tzimiskes
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327:
325:
313:
252:
199:Partially ruined
173:Site information
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34:in Cairo or the
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1521:Byzantine forts
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1495:
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1429:Qulay'ah Castle
1424:Qasr Ibn Wardan
1409:Qalaat al-Madiq
1344:Citadel of Homs
1289:Castle of al-Al
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449:Crusader states
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417:Hugh N. Kennedy
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324:قلعة صلاح الدين
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1354:Al-Kahf Castle
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1032:Kennedy, Hugh
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304:Sahyun Castle
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44:Sahyun Castle
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1483:
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1314:Burj al-Sabi
1198:Ancient City
1183:Ancient City
1123:: 980–1, 016
1120:
1116:
1103:
1075:
1057:
1037:
1014:
1003:Bibliography
989:
984:, p. 85
977:
963:
953:, retrieved
951:, 2012-03-30
943:
937:
927:, retrieved
918:
912:
903:
894:
861:
857:
847:
835:
830:, p. 96
828:Kennedy 1994
809:Kennedy 1994
804:
799:, p. 85
797:Kennedy 1994
749:Kennedy 1994
744:
715:. Retrieved
711:the original
695:
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643:
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632:
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584:
569:
542:
513:
462:
432:
428:
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404:
394:
315:
303:
302:
255:30th session
204:Site history
186:Open to
1404:Qal'at Najm
1384:Montferrand
1349:Hama Castle
776:Morray 1995
737:Morray 1995
717:22 November
636:living rock
505:Hospitaller
288:Arab States
152: /
128:Coordinates
1500:Categories
1279:Abu Qubays
994:Molin 2001
982:Molin 2001
955:2012-04-16
929:2012-04-16
840:Folda 2005
682:References
629:Inner view
580:Abu'l-Fida
528:laid siege
425:Byzantines
312:قلعة صهيون
248:Designated
140:36°03′26″E
137:35°35′45″N
84:The south
52:قلعة صهيون
1484:Also See:
886:244587800
878:1385-3783
481:Crusaders
401:al-Haffah
356:Byzantine
344:Al-Haffah
329:romanized
213:Limestone
209:Materials
196:Condition
63:Al-Haffah
1434:Al-Rahba
1223:Site of
1202:Damascus
1034:(1994),
1013:(2005),
665:See also
621:Overview
509:Templars
507:and the
469:Hamdanid
358:Emperor
240:Criteria
235:Cultural
1546:Saladin
1449:Shmemis
1444:Shaizar
1364:Khawabi
1226:Palmyra
652:Gallery
572:Tripoli
565:Qalawun
557:Baibars
555:sultan
545:Bourzey
520:Saladin
518:sultan
516:Ayyubid
467:-based
439:History
397:Latakia
376:Saladin
370:of the
348:Latakia
331::
263:Part of
90:donjons
86:bastion
1374:Margat
1187:Aleppo
1082:
1064:
1046:
1021:
949:UNESCO
924:UNESCO
884:
876:
703:
602:UNESCO
553:Mamluk
537:donjon
471:emir,
465:Aleppo
409:Arabic
407:, the
405:Ṣahyūn
385:UNESCO
364:Franks
320:Arabic
308:Arabic
284:Region
243:ii, vi
168:Castle
1193:Bosra
1108:(PDF)
882:S2CID
645:iwans
549:emirs
433:Saône
429:Sigon
340:Syria
251:2006
178:Owner
88:with
71:Syria
61:Near
1080:ISBN
1062:ISBN
1044:ISBN
1019:ISBN
874:ISSN
719:2019
701:ISBN
576:Hama
413:Zion
278:1229
232:Type
165:Type
1215:and
1200:of
1185:of
866:doi
600:by
383:by
191:Yes
1502::
947:,
922:,
902:.
880:.
872:.
862:25
860:.
856:.
816:^
783:^
756:^
727:^
617:.
578:,
511:.
435:.
326:,
322::
310::
69:,
65:,
1260:e
1253:t
1246:v
1164:e
1157:t
1150:v
1121:9
888:.
868::
721:.
318:(
306:(
257:)
253:(
38:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
