- Type
- Ruin
- Origins
- 12th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage List
- Coordinates
- 33.3247°, 35.5322°
History
A stronghold already stood on the rock above the Litani valley before the Crusaders took it in 1139 and enlarged it as Belfort or Beaufort. In 1189–1190 it was held by Reynald of Sidon, who opened negotiations with Saladin to play for time; when the ruse was discovered he was taken prisoner, and the garrison surrendered in 1190. The Crusaders regained Beaufort by treaty in 1240, the Templars took it over in 1260, and in 1268 it was captured by Sultan Baibars. In the 17th century the castle belonged to the Druze emir Fakhr al-Din II. In the 1970s Palestinian fighters occupied it, and in 1982 it was taken by the Israeli army, which held it until its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
What to see
The castle stands on the edge of a rock face about 300 m above the Litani gorge, close to the village of Arnoun. After the war damage its walls and halls have been partly restored, and paths lead through courtyards, vaulted rooms and towers. The walls offer a sweeping view of Mount Hermon, the Litani valley and the hills of Galilee. The last months of the Israeli presence here are portrayed in the Oscar-nominated 2007 film Beaufort.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q476801
Popularity: articles about this site in 27 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).