# Doubiye Castle

- **Country:** Lebanon

Doubiye Castle, also known historically as Qal'at ad-Dubba, is a medieval fortress located approximately four kilometers west of the village of Shaqra in southern Lebanon. Situated within the Bint Jbeil District of the Nabatieh Governorate, the site lies near the country's southern border, roughly 6.8 kilometers from the Golan Heights and 116 kilometers from Beirut. The castle sits at an elevation of about 620 meters above sea level in a region characterized by its strategic proximity to neighboring towns such as Safad El Battikh and Baraashit. While the adjacent municipality of Shaqra serves as a residential hub with a fluctuating population, the castle itself stands as a distinct historical landmark separated from the main village center.

The origins of Doubiye Castle date back at least to the Crusader era, marking it as a significant military structure from the medieval period. Although specific details regarding its original architectural style or precise construction year are not extensively documented in available records, its classification as a Crusader-era fortification suggests it was built to control movement and defend territory during the conflicts between European crusaders and local forces. The site is referenced alongside the village in official municipal designations, indicating its enduring importance to the local identity of the Shaqra and Doubay municipality. Over the centuries, the castle has witnessed the shifting tides of power in the Levant, serving as a silent observer to the region's turbulent history.

Today, the condition and specific current use of Doubiye Castle remain largely undefined in public records, though it persists as a historical point of interest within the predominantly Shiite Muslim community of the area. The surrounding village experiences significant seasonal demographic changes, with residents swelling from 7,000 in winter to 12,000 in summer, yet the castle remains a static monument to the past. Its location on the Palestine grid highlights its cartographic significance, preserving its memory even as detailed architectural descriptions fade. The site continues to represent the deep historical layers of southern Lebanon, linking the modern inhabitants to the medieval struggles that once defined the landscape.

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaqra_-_Doubay#Doubay_or_'Qal'at_ad-Dubba (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)