Latrun Castle, Medieval fortress ruins in Judean Hills, Israel.
Latrun Castle is a fortress ruin in the Judean Hills positioned on a hilltop overlooking the road connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The remaining stone structures include vaulted chambers, corner bastions, and defensive lines that show how the fortress was originally organized.
The castle was built in 1137 by the Crusader Knights Templar and guarded the important route between Jaffa and Jerusalem until Saladin captured it in 1187. After this defeat, the fortress changed hands several times and gradually lost its strategic importance.
The fortress connects to religious stories that travelers and pilgrims have told for centuries, with some traditions linking it to a chapel dedicated to the good thief. Visitors can still sense how local people view this place as more than just stone and history.
The site is accessible by the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with parking available at the entrance. Wear sturdy shoes since the ruins are uneven and winds can be strong on the hilltop.
Underground vaulted chambers show specialized building techniques that 12th century Crusader engineers developed to create storage and protection during sieges. These hidden rooms reveal how much thought went into military design at that time.
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