# Citadel of Tartus

- **Country:** Syria
- **Coordinates:** 34.893333, 35.876389
- **Condition:** Residential area
- **Castle Type:** Castle

The Citadel of Tartus is a historic fortress located in the coastal city of Tartus, Syria, situated directly along the Mediterranean Sea. Originally established as a critical military installation, the site gained prominence during the Crusades, specifically after being reconquered by Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, in 1102 following earlier conflicts with local forces. Around 1165, the castle was entrusted to the Knights Templar, who significantly rebuilt the structure under the direction of Everard des Barres. This reconstruction included the addition of a distinctive square chapel, which differed from the traditional round design found in other Templar monuments, featuring lancet windows and lacking an apse.

Architecturally, the citadel was designed as a formidable stronghold consisting of two thick semi-circular enclosure walls separated by a deep ditch, with an outer wall further protected by a moat facing the sea. The complex featured eleven towers, including two square towers on the western side of the elongated keep, and a central courtyard bordered by a gallery with large columns. A strategic postern gate allowed boats to deliver supplies directly from the sea during sieges. The fortress successfully withstood numerous attacks from powerful leaders such as Saladin in 1188 and Sultan Baibars in the late thirteenth century, serving as a vital defensive point for the County of Tripoli until the Templars abandoned it in 1291 following the fall of Acre.

Today, the Citadel of Tartus exists primarily as a residential area rather than a preserved military monument. Most of the original fortifications have disappeared over time; the protective ditches have been filled in, and only scattered masonry foundations of the keep remain visible. Despite the scarcity of physical ruins, the site retains significant historical importance as a former headquarters for the Knights Templar and a key element in the region's medieval defense network. Its legacy endures through historical records detailing its resilient commanders and its role in resisting major sieges that shaped the history of the Levant.

![Photo of Citadel of Tartus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Zitadelle_Tartus_Befestigung.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_of_Tartus (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)