Hall of the Crusader Knights, Medieval fortress museum in Old City, Acre, Israel
The Hall of the Crusader Knights is a museum complex beneath the streets of the old town, built from massive stone structures with vaulted ceilings. The site occupies extensive underground chambers that reveal how this stronghold was once organized and used.
The Hospitaller Knights built this fortress in the 12th century as their administrative center during the Crusader period. After Mamluks captured the city in 1291, the structure was modified and later used by different powers that controlled Acre.
The name refers to the Hospitaller Knights who made this their headquarters and used these halls for community gatherings. Walking through the rooms today, you can see the stonework and symbols that reflect how this military order lived and worked.
The site uses modern staircases and pathways to guide visitors through the underground areas in an organized way. It helps to wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time to explore the various chambers at a relaxed pace.
Underground tunnels beneath the site connect the dining hall with a crypt under a nearby church, revealing medieval tombstones along the way. These hidden passages once allowed movement between different sections of the fortress without being seen from above.
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