The First Crusade established four states including the Kingdom of Jerusalem, County of Edessa, Principality of Antioch, and County of Tripoli in the Levant. The settlers were referred to as “Franks” and were distinguishable by their language and faith. The Crusaders built fortresses like Krak des Chevaliers, which became a key stronghold for the Hospitallers. The Hospitallers transitioned from a religious order to a military order, dominating Tripoli with several strategically located castles. Climate and seismic activity played a role in the history of the fortress, with Saladin’s incursion in 1180 and the Battle of Hattin in 1187 impacting the Crusaders’ rule. Despite renovations and reinforcements, Krak des Chevaliers fell to Mamluk Sultan Baibars in 1271. The castle’s architectural elements from Seljuk, Crusader, and Mamluk periods bear witness to its rich history, with its significance enduring through the Mamluk and Ottoman eras. Today, Krak des Chevaliers remains under Syrian government control amid the ongoing conflict in Syria.
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