Qal'at Ja'bar

About this place

Qal'at Ja'bar is a castle on the left bank of Lake Euphrates, in Raqqa Governorate in northern Syria. It was once a high hill above the Euphrates valley and is now an island in the lake, reached only by an artificial causeway. The turquoise water around it gives it a rare look, very unlike the other castles of Syria. The hill was possibly fortified as early as the 7th century, and it was known before Islam as Dawsar and mentioned in 1040 as Qal'at Dawsar. It later passed to Ja'bar ibn Sabiq, whose name it carries. Most of the present buildings are the work of Nur al-Din, who rebuilt the castle from 1168. Excavations and restoration of the walls and towers have taken place since 1965. You cross the narrow road over the water, then climb towards a brick wall with a row of towers looking over the lake. Inside, a brick minaret rises alone, along with arches and the remains of small buildings. From the towers blue water stretches in every direction, so take your time here, as the view is worth it. It is about 48 km in a straight line from Raqqa and about 123 km from the Citadel of Aleppo, and you need a car. We could not confirm current access, so ask locally before setting out, and bring water and a hat. 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.