The Crusader Fortresses

Photo by Walter.

The Crusader Fortresses is part of the Tentative list of Israel in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List. It is a proposed extension of WHS.

The Crusader Fortresses comprise the ruins of four fortresses built by the European crusaders between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Crusader castles are characterised by a mixture of European, Byzantine and Arabic styles. These fortresses experienced an eventful history of conquest, destruction and reconstruction by alternate rulers, which led to a mixture of architectural styles.

Map of The Crusader Fortresses

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The coordinates shown for all tentative sites were produced as a community effort. They are not official and may change on inscription.

Community Reviews

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Ilya Burlak

USA - 24-Dec-19 -

The Crusader Fortresses (T) by Ilya Burlak

While in Israel in November of 2019, I stopped by the Jordan Star National Park (Kokhav HaYarden, in Hebrew) which is centered on the Belvoir crusader castle high above the Jordan river valley.

The castle itself is the type of ruins that actually give you a pretty good idea of how it used to be in its heyday. Sufficiently impressive, although once you learn that the heyday lasted barely 20 years in the 12th century, you may doubt that any OUV can be justified here.

The killer feature of the place are the views over the valley and towards the Sea of Galilee. The castle's nickname of "fine view" was not for nothing. The views themselves are worth the cost of entry, but if you have "orange card" Israel Pass (which allows one entry to almost every national park in Israel over the course of two weeks) there is no additional cost. Brochure that you pick up at reception has all necessary information, and no guidance is needed. My overall visit lasted under an hour and I was nearly the only visitor on an early afternoon.

The sites of this serial property are spread around the country, and I have not managed to fit other castles into my itinerary. But it appears that Montfort could be combined with exploration of Acre (and the caves of Rosh HaNikra, if you are doing the non-WHS stuff), while either Pelerin or Apollonia could be combined with Caesarea (and the latter is not far from Tel Aviv either).

Read more from Ilya Burlak here.


Ken Fisher MD

USA - 13-Feb-12 -

The massive construction of Belvoir is very impressive, but pales next to the gorgeous views of the valley from its commanding hilltop position. It's easy to see how its defenders could have held out against even an attacker such as Saladin. Montfort also has a commanding view of a much smaller valley, but is far less impressive.


Assif

Germany - 24-May-08 -

Israel offers several sites with ruins of Crusaders' fortresses (about a dozen of them including Aqua Bella, Chateau Pelerin, Yehiam). I have been to Montfort, Belvoir and Apolonia and there is not too much left of any of them to be honest. Monfort makes a nice trip but mostly for its location. Belvoir still clearly shows its massive star-shaped fortifications resembling later constructions by Vauban. It also offers its visitors a nice panorama if you happen to visit Israel in spring. The Crusador architecture also features in the WHS of Acre and the TWHS of Caesarea.


Full Name
The Crusader Fortresses
Country
Israel
Added
2000
Extension of
WHS
Type
Cultural
Categories
Structure - Military and Fortifications
Link
By ID
2000 Added to Tentative List

Unesco Website: The Crusader Fortresses

The site has 4 locations

The Crusader Fortresses: Belvoir (T)
The Crusader Fortresses: Montfort (T)
The Crusader Fortresses: Arsuf (Apollonia) (T)
The Crusader Fortresses: Atlit (Pelerin) (T)
WHS 1997-2024