Château de Salkhad, Medieval castle in Salkhad, Syria
Château de Salkhad is a stone fortress built atop a mountain close to the Jordanian border, defended by multiple protective walls arranged in tiers. Below ground, the castle contains numerous chambers, vaults, and passageways that honeycomb the foundation.
The original fortress was built in 1073 by a Fatimid ruler, though the structure visitors see today took shape mainly in the 13th century. During that time, it was extensively rebuilt and reinforced to serve military purposes.
The castle shows layers of construction from different rulers, each adding their own building style to the structure. Walking through the fortress today, you can see how these different periods of building overlap in the walls and towers.
Certain areas remain off-limits due to military facilities located on the grounds, and taking photographs is prohibited. It is worth checking current conditions ahead of your visit.
The mountain contains an intricate network of underground rooms and passages that may have served for water storage and shelter during attacks. This subterranean system is nearly as complex as the fortress above.
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