Bourzey Castle, Byzantine castle in northwestern Syria
Bourzey Castle is a Byzantine fortress in northwestern Syria that spans two levels with distinct upper and lower sections. The structure includes 12 watchtowers positioned along its defensive walls to monitor the surrounding landscape.
The Byzantines built this fortification in the 11th century as a strategic military outpost. It changed hands among various rulers until Saladin captured it in 1188, marking a major shift in control.
The walls carry inscriptions that reveal the presence of multiple peoples who controlled the fortress over time. You can observe how Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, and Mamluk traces coexist throughout the structure.
The site sits on elevated terrain that requires visitors to climb steep paths to reach the fortress. The nearest town of Jisr al-Shughur offers basic services and serves as the closest base for planning a visit.
The fortress has an unusual trapezoidal shape with walls of varying lengths on different sides. The builders incorporated natural valleys into the defenses, showing how they adapted the landscape to strengthen protection.
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