# Margat

- **Country:** Syria
- **Coordinates:** 35.152222, 35.950000
- **Notes:** Headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller in Syria.
- **Condition:** Partially restored
- **Year Built:** 11th–12th centuries
- **Castle Type:** Spur castle

Margat, also known as Marqab or the Castle of the Watchtower, is a historic concentric castle situated near Baniyas in northern Syria. Perched atop an extinct volcano approximately 360 meters above sea level, the fortress overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and stands about two kilometers from the coast. Originally fortified by Muslims in 1062 using local basalt stone, the site changed hands multiple times during the early Crusades before being sold to the Knights Hospitaller in 1186. The order significantly expanded and rebuilt the structure, transforming it into their primary headquarters in Syria and creating a massive complex featuring fourteen towers that was considered virtually impregnable.

The castle holds immense historical significance as one of the few strongholds to withstand famous military leaders like Saladin, who bypassed it in 1188 after deeming it unconquerable. It successfully repelled an Ayyubid siege in 1206 and served as a prison for Isaac Comnenus of Cyprus following his capture by Richard I of England. For centuries, the Hospitallers controlled the surrounding roads, generating substantial revenue from pilgrims and travelers while maintaining a presence second only to Krak des Chevaliers in power and size within the region.

Today, Margat remains a prominent landmark owned by the Al-Markabi Family and is open to the public. Although the structure fell into a state of ruin over the centuries, significant reconstruction and renovation efforts began in 2007 to preserve its architectural integrity. Visitors can now explore the remnants of this once-mighty Crusader fortress, which stands as a testament to medieval military engineering and the complex geopolitical history of the Levant during the Middle Ages.

![Photo of Margat](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Marqab-crusader-castle-donjon.jpg)

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