Toron, Medieval castle ruins in Tebnine, Lebanon

Toron is a Crusader castle ruin on an oval hilltop tell north of Tibnin, at 725 metres above sea level. Its outline follows the contours of the Bronze Age mound, and it once had twelve rectangular towers, with the southern one serving as the donjon.

The fortress was built in 1106 to secure control of the region during the Crusades and strengthen strategic positions. It played an important role in the military strategy of the Crusaders in the Middle East.

The name Toron passed to the village of Tibnin, whose Arabic name Qal'at Tibnin still marks the castle. In 1197 a Muslim garrison held the siege after the lords of Acre warned them not to trust the German crusaders' offer of surrender. The castle later passed to the Teutonic Knights, who bought the claims in 1220.

Access to the site is via the road between Tyre and Damascus, with visibility varying depending on season and weather. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and elevation changes when exploring the ruins.

The fortress was built on the remains of a Bronze Age settlement, reusing earlier structures. Originally twelve towers formed part of the complex and monitored important trade routes in the region.