Le Destroit, Medieval fortress ruins near Atlit, Israel
Le Destroit is a castle ruin near Atlit on Israel's Mediterranean coast, featuring stone walls, a deep moat, and stairs carved into sandstone. The site stands on a ridge above the sea, revealing the strategic placement of what was once a fortified position.
The Templars built this fortified way station in the early 12th century after King Baldwin I was attacked in 1103, to protect travelers from bandits. The fortress was deliberately dismantled in 1218 when a newer facility was completed, to prevent its use by opposing forces.
The site holds different names across languages: Casel Destreiz in French, Khirbat Dustray in Arabic, and Horvat Qarta in Hebrew. This linguistic variety reflects the layered history of different peoples who shaped this place.
The ruin sits within walking distance of Atlit train station, taking roughly 20 to 30 minutes on foot. By car from Tel Aviv, you can reach the area by following local road signs to orient yourself to the exact spot.
Though the structure was destroyed, the remaining stairs show that people once occupied a multi-level facility. This feature makes it possible to sense the former scale and complexity of the fortress even today.
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