Dec 14, 2016

The Krak des Chevaliers

Rmn-Grand Palais

Kalaat-El-Hosn, Syria

Carte de géolocalisation du Krak des Chevaliers, Rmn-Grand Palais, 2016, From the collection of: Rmn-Grand Palais

The Krak, or fortress, des Chevaliers is a fortified castle situated in the west of Syria, some fifty kilometers west of Homs.

Vue aérienne du Krak des Chevaliers, Paul Deschamps (188-1974), Institut national d’histoire de l’art, Bibliothèque, collection Jacques Doucet, 1929, From the collection of: Rmn-Grand Palais

It is perched on the Jebel Ansariyeh mountain.

Sites éternels. Vue aérienne du Krak des Chevaliers., Photo Iconem & DGAM, Original Source: Accès au site d'Iconem
A perfect model of fortress
The Krak des Chevaliers as it can be seen today is a perfect example of the development of military architecture of the Middle East during the time of the Crusades, from the 11th to the 13th centuries.
Amaury Ier (1135-1174) roi de Jérusalem(1163-1174), et Marie de Comnène chevauchant. Départ pour la croisade., Guillaume de Tyr (1130?-1186), Livre d'Eracles, dit aussi "Estoire d'Oultre-Mer", BNF, 1260, Original Source: Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)

The ancient Turkish garrison was established in 1031 and fell into the hands of the Franks after the first crusade in 1110.

Plan du Krak, salle au niveau de la cour, Paul Deschamps (1888-1974), Institut national d’histoire de l’art, Bibliothèque, collection Jacques Doucet, 1930, Original Source: Paul Deschamps et la prospection aérienne aux Pays du Levant, INHA

From 1142 until 1271, the fortress belonged to the military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. It was during this period that it became the "Krak des Chevaliers". It was also made considerably bigger, to the point where it could accommodate several thousand men.

Photographie aérienne du Krak des Chevaliers, Iconem & DGAM, 2016, Original Source: Accès au site d'Iconem

The fortress is made up of two surrounding walls separated by a moat.

Le Krak des Chevaliers. Extérieur ouest de la deuxième enceinte, Clercq Louis de (1837-1901), Fonds photographique du musée d'Orsay, Paris, 1859/1860, Original Source: Accès Source Agenece Photo Rmn-Grand palais
The Franks Time
Le Krak des Chevaliers. Extérieur ouest de la deuxième enceinte, Clercq Louis de (1837-1901), Fonds photographique du musée d'Orsay, Paris, 1859/1860, Original Source: Accès Source Agenece Photo Rmn-Grand palais

The inner wall, the oldest of the two...

Le Krak des Chevaliers: Deuxième enceinte, extérieur nord-ouest, Clercq Louis de (1837-1901), Fonds photographique du musée d'Orsay, Paris, 1859/1860, Original Source: Agence Photo de la Rmn-Grand Palais, fonds Louis Clercq, Orsay

... and towers over the external wall.

Le Krak des Chevaliers. Intérieur de la seconde enceinte. Extérieur de la salle des Chevaliers., Clercq Louis de (1837-1901), Fonds photographique du musée d'Orsay, Paris, 1859/1860, Original Source: Agence Photo de la Rmn-Grand Palais

It contains the inner buildings: a great hall, the chapel, a cloister, dwellings, shops, etc.

Le Krak des Chevaliers. Première enceinte ou enceinte extérieure. Construite à partir de 1250, Clercq Louis de (1837-1901), Fonds photographique du musée d'Orsay, Paris, 1859/1860, Original Source: Agence Photo de la Rmn-Grand Palais
Reinforcement during the seventh crusade
The construction of the external wall began in 1250 (under Saint Louis) to reinforce the site. It is equipped with arrow slits, crenelations, and machicolations. .    
Le Krak des Chevaliers. Première enceinte ou enceinte extérieure. Construite à partir de 1250, Clercq Louis de (1837-1901), Fonds photographique du musée d'Orsay, Paris, 1859/1860, Original Source: Agence Photo de la Rmn-Grand Palais

The surrounding area can be surveyed from the ramparts walk at the top of the wall. The stables were also housed in the external wall.

Le Krak des Chevaliers, entrée en rampe couverte, Frédéric Lamblin (1896 - 1970), From the collection of: Rmn-Grand Palais

The main entrance is on the east side and is a long entrance with a hairpin turn. It is a vaulted ramp with dotted with holes that let light in, but which also allowed enemies to be showered with projectiles.

Le Krak des Chevaliers. Vue intérieure de la chapelle, Iconem & DGAM, 2016, From the collection of: Rmn-Grand Palais
From fortress to residential palace
In 1271, the impenetrable fortress finally fell to the cunning attacks of the sultan Baybars of the Mamluk dynasty. It was then transformed into a residential palace, with Turkish baths and an aqueduct.
Modelisation 3D du Krak des Chevaliers, Iconem & DGAM, 2016, Original Source: Site Internet Iconem

In the summer of 1909, Thomas Edward Shaw, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, left England and spent three months in Syria. He wanted to visit the crusader castles on foot. He reached the Krak des Chevaliers on his 21st birthday. Filled with wonder, he called it the "most beautiful castle, the most picturesque in the world". (paragraph likely to be deleted)

Modelisation 3D du Krak des Chevaliers, Iconem & DGAM, 2016, Original Source: Site Internet Iconem

In 1999, the Krak became protected under the Syrian Antiquities Law and in 2006 became a World Heritage site. Between 2012 and 2014, it was the headquarters of the rebellion and was repeatedly bombarded before being retaken by Bashar al-Assad's army. Many of its structures were damaged. The monument is currently included on the List of World Heritage in Danger and a digital reconstruction is being created of the monument in its entirety and, in particular, the parts that have been destroyed.

Le monument figure, aujourd’hui, sur la "Liste du patrimoine en péril" de l'UNESCO et fait l’objet de travaux de restitution numérique de l’ensemble du monument et en particulier des parties détruites.

Eternal Sites, Grans Palais
Credits: Story

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