Belhacem
Belhacem (also known as Bethasem, Arabic: قلعة أبو الحصن, romanized: Qalʿat Abī l-Ḥasan) is a cave fortress built on a hill in the valley of the Awali river near Joun, Lebanon.[1][2]
| Qalʿat Abī l-Ḥasan | |
|---|---|
| Awali River, Lebanon | |
 1936 aerial view of the castle | |
  Qalʿat Abī l-Ḥasan | |
| Coordinates | 33°34′24″N 35°28′36″E |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | 12th century |
| Materials | Limestone |
History
The castle was built by the Crusaders of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the early 12th century, along with Cave of Tyron, to protect the coastal cities in the Lordship of Sidon.[3] The castle was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1128, when the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Garmond of Picquigny, besieged the castle which was occupied by brigands.[4] Afterwards, it was captured by Saladin in September 1187, then it became a frontier fortification for the Ayyubids until 1291, the date of the final capture of Sidon.[3]
It was later mentioned during Fakhr al-Din II's revolt against the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century.[3]
References
- Setton 1977, p. 142.
- Tibble 1989, pp. 178–179.
- "Belhacem". orient-latin.com.
- William of Tyre 1824, p. 303.
Bibliography
- Setton, Kenneth (1977). A History of the Crusades V. 4; Art and Architecture of the Crusader States. University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 9780299068240.
- Tibble, Steven (1989). Monarchy and Lordships in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, 1099-1291. Clarendon Press. ISBN 9780198227311.
- William of Tyre (1824). Histoire des Croisades (in French). Vol. 2. Paris: Brière.
