Why was Krak des Chevaliers built?
Krak des Chevaliers (also spelt Cracs des Chevaliers, and known in Arabic as Hisn al-Akrad) is a castle in Syria originally built for the Emir of Aleppo in 1031 CE but acquired and extensively rebuilt by the Knights Hospitaller in 1144 CE.
What medieval conflict was Krak des Chevaliers part of?
Syria’s civil war
Crac des Chevaliers, the world’s best preserved medieval Crusader castle, has stood for a thousand years in Syria. Seen here May 1 on its hilltop perch, the world’s best preserved medieval Crusader castle has fallen victim to the chaos of Syria’s civil war.
What is Krak?
KRAK is a commercial radio station located in Hesperia, California, broadcasting to the Victor Valley, California, area.
Where is the Krak des Chevaliers castle located?
Krak des Chevaliers ( French pronunciation: [kʁak de ʃəvaˈlje]) (Arabic language: قلعة الحصن ), also Crac des Chevaliers, is a Crusader castle in Syria and one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world.
When did the Hospitallers build Krak des Chevaliers?
The Hospitallers made Krak des Chevaliers a centre of administration for their new property, undertaking work at the castle that would make it one of the most elaborate Crusader fortifications in the Levant. After acquiring the site in 1142, they began building a new castle to replace the former Kurdish fortification.
When was the Golden Age of Krak des Chevaliers?
After a second phase of building was undertaken in the 13th century, Krak des Chevaliers became a concentric castle. This phase created the outer wall and gave the castle its current appearance. The first half of the century has been described as Krak des Chevaliers’ “golden age”. At its peak, Krak des Chevaliers housed a garrison of around 2,000.
What did the Crusaders wear at Krak des Chevaliers?
Through the gate they came; a long line of mounted men. They wore burnished mail and surcoats of black wool, and on their chests, they bore the splayed white cross of the Hospitallers. Their order had once been key in the Crusaders’ conquest – now, the golden age of their dominion was behind them.