The two walls
A castle within a castle.
(Ergo) — CC BY 2.0 · Gianfranco Gazzetti — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dickelbers — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dickelbers — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kosay Alassaf — CC BY-SA 4.0
Krak des Chevaliers, known in Arabic as Qalat al-Hisn, is a medieval castle west of Homs and one of the most important preserved castles in the world. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 2006 together with the Citadel of Saladin. It sits on a high hill, and its pale walls can be seen from far away. Kurdish troops were garrisoned here by the Mirdasids in the 11th century, and in 1142 Raymond II, Count of Tripoli, gave it to the Knights Hospitaller. They rebuilt it from the 1140s and added the outer wall in the 13th century, making it a concentric castle. Muslim forces retook it in 1271. You enter by a rising vaulted passage, then wander among halls, vaults and towers, with a broad water reservoir between the two walls. From the upper towers green hills and plains stretch to the horizon. Some sections have been restored after damage in past years and the 2023 earthquake, but many parts remain damaged, and some photos here are older than that. It is about 38 km in a straight line from Homs and about 40 km from Tartus. A car is the best way there. Wear comfortable shoes and take care as you walk, as the ground is uneven and some edges are unfenced. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Syria, and British consular help is not available there, so check official guidance before making any plans.
A castle within a castle.
Water between the walls.
Views to the horizon.
Western Homs countryside, Syria
Do not count on it, as only some sections have been restored and others remain damaged, so ask at the entrance.
Some are older than the recent damage, so you may see differences on a visit.