- Type
- Ruin
- Built
- 12th century
- Coordinates
- 34.8122°, 35.9706°
History
The castle is usually identified with the Castrum Rubrum of Latin sources, although some scholars question the identification, and it formed part of the network of strongholds of the County of Tripoli. In 1112 Tancred granted it to Count Pons of Tripoli, and it was later held in fief by the Frankish Montolieu family. In 1177–1178 Count Raymond III handed it to the Knights Hospitaller, the former owners receiving 400 bezants in compensation, and the order made it part of the defences around Tortosa. Saladin took and wrecked the castle in 1188, but the Crusaders most probably recovered it and held it until 1289, when the county fell to Sultan Qalawun. The enclosure walls date from the early 12th century, the keep from the early 13th, and the corner towers were probably added by the Mamluks.
What to see
The stronghold stands in Yahmur village, about 12 kilometres from Tartus and 10 kilometres from Safita. A two-storey keep measuring 16 by 14 metres survives, with stairs to its upper levels, inside a walled enclosure with two corner towers; the wooden floor that once divided the upper level has not survived. The situation in Syria remains unstable and many governments advise against travel, so check current security conditions before going.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q653936
Popularity: articles about this site in 13 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).