| Chastel Blanc | |
|---|---|
| Safita,Syria | |
 Chastel Blanc's keep | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Location | |
  Chastel Blanc | |
| Coordinates | 34°49′14″N36°07′01″E / 34.82056°N 36.11694°E /34.82056; 36.11694 |
Chastel Blanc (Arabic:برج صافيتا, Burj Safita or Safita Tower) is a medieval structure inSafita, westernSyria. It was built by theKnights Templar during theCrusades upon prior fortifications. Located on the middle hill of Safita's three hills, it offers a commanding view of the surrounding countryside, and was a major part of the network of Crusader fortifications in the area. From the roof, a view ranging see from theMediterranean Sea to the snow-covered mountains ofLebanon, andCounty of Tripoli, is offered. From Chastel Blanc it would have been possible to see the Templar strongholds atTartus andRuad Island to the northwest,Chastel Rouge on the coastline to the southwest,Akkar to the south, andKrak des Chevaliers (the headquarters of the SyrianKnights Hospitallers) to the southeast.
The region was initially controlled by the Crusaders by 1110, and was mentioned the first time in an Arab chronicle in 1112.[1] TheKnights Templar built a dungeon after 1117,[1] then they possessed the tower by 1152.[2] Later on, the tower was attacked byNur ad-Din in 1167,[1] to be recaptured by the Templars in the same year,[3] and was rebuilt after the1170 earthquake, then in 1188 afterSaladin's invasion,[4] and after the1202 earthquake.[1] The tower was eventually captured and destroyed byBaibars in 1271.[5]
The tower served both as a chapel and a fortress, with 3 metres (9.8 ft) thick walls constructed of massive and carefully fitted limestone blocks. The ground floor still contains a chapel, dedicated toSt. Michael and used by the Greek Orthodox community of Safita. The second floor, which can be reached by a flight of partially destroyed stairs, served as a dormitory, and contains many small angled windows that were used by archers to defend the tower. Cut into the rock below the tower is a water cistern and a former weapons cache, essential elements in case of siege.
From the other fortifications of the castle, only a portal at 45 metres (148 ft) to the east of the keep can still be seen today. During the FrenchMandate for Syria and the Lebanon, efforts were made to restore the tower, causing great discomfort to the villagers that lived very close to it.
In 1946, when the castle's keep threatened to collapse, architect Pierre Coupel undertook an intensive programme of repairs.[6]
The structure base dates back to thePhoenician era.[7] However, the tower visible today is the remaining keep of the original castle. It has a height of 28 metres (92 ft), a width of 18 metres (59 ft), and a length of 31 metres (102 ft). A large bell is on the western wall, and its sound can be heard up to 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Safita. The castle had to be restored in 1170 and 1202 following damages due to earthquakes. The keep in its current shape probably dates from the reconstruction after 1202.
