Crusader Castles

	Krac de Chevalier (Qala'at al Hosn, Syria). Built by the Crusaders in 1150AD in the only significant break in the mountain range between Antakya, Turkey and Beruit, Lebanon. It originally housed a garrison of 4,000 and construction was expanded over 100 years. After holding off a number of concerted attacks, it finally sell to Sultan Baibars in 1271.
	Marqab Castle (Qala'at al Marqab, Syria). This citadel was originally a Muslim stronghold - founded possibly in 1062. In the early 12th century, it felled into Crusader hands.
	Saladin (or Salah al-Din, the "Righteousness of the Faith") - one of three major Muslim knights who battled with the Crusaders. In 1171, he united the then divided Islamic states and overthrew the Fatimid rulers of Egypt and recaptured Palestine and much of the Crusader strongholds.
	Saladin's Castle (Qala'at Salah al-Din, Syria). Named in memory of the Muslim commander's taking of the Crusader-held citadel in 1188. The original entrance was across an artificial gorge on the east side of the citadel on a drawbridge propped up by a pillar of stone.
	Karak Castle, Jordan. Built in 1132 by the Crusader king, Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Fell to Saladin in 1188. The governor at time was Renauld de Chatillion used to throw his enemies over the battlements into the valley 450m below... and to ensure he prolonged their agony, he would encase the victims' heads in wooden boxes so they wouldn't loose consciousness before hitting the bottom. (So much for the chivalry of Knights.)