Burj al-Sabi
Burj al-Sabi (Arabic: برج الصبي, lit. 'Boy's Tower', French: Tour du garçon) is a watchtower located in northwestern Syria, near Adimeh, Tartus Governorate.
| Burj al-Sabi | |
|---|---|
برج الصبي | |
| Tartus Governorate, Syria | |
  Burj al-Sabi | |
| Coordinates | 35°9′14″N 35°55′38″E |
| Type | Watchtower |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruined |
Etymology
There are two legends about the origin of the name of this tower. The first legend says that the son of one of the Crusader lords wanted to imitate the fortress of Margat, which was subject to the power of his father. Thus, he built the tower which was named Sabi (boy) and this tower was attributed to him. The second legend says that the name is a metaphor that Margat, represents the mother and the tower would be the son (the boy).[1]
History
Burj al-Sabi was built on a 25 metres (82 ft) hill around 1200, to be part of the outer defenses of nearby Margat.[2] It was used to collect tolls from merchants on the coastal road.[3] In 1223, there was an agreement between the Knight Hospitaller and Knight Templar, by which the Templars could pass freely through it.[4]
Features
The tower is a two-storey square structure, built of basalt stones, which is distinguished by the presence of corbels and arrowslits on its walls designed for archers.[1]
References
- ""برج الصبي".. العين الساهرة لقلعة "المرقب"". esyria.sy (in Arabic). 18 May 2010.
- Kennedy 1994, p. 116.
- Boas 2016, p. 113.
- "Burj al Sabi". orient-latin.com.
Bibliography
- Boas, Adrian J. (2016), Crusader Archaeology: The Material Culture of the Latin East, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781317479666.
- Kennedy, Hugh (1994), Crusader castles, Cambridge University Press.
