# Toron

- **Country:** Lebanon
- **Coordinates:** 33.195714, 35.412325

Toron, known today as Tibnin or Tebnine, is a historic Crusader castle located in the mountains of southern Lebanon. Strategically positioned on the ancient road connecting Tyre to Damascus, the fortress was constructed in 1106 AD by Hugh of Fauquembergues, the Prince of Galilee. Its primary purpose was to support military campaigns aimed at capturing the coastal city of Tyre. The site quickly evolved into the capital of the Lordship of Toron, a significant feudal seigneury within the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Although it began as a rear-vassalage under the Principality of Galilee, it later functioned as an independent lordship governed by the prominent Humphrey family, who also held territories such as Banias and Oultrejourdain through strategic marriages and acquisitions.

The castle holds immense historical significance due to its role in the regional power struggles between Crusader states and Muslim forces during the High Middle Ages. It remained under Crusader control until 1187, when it fell to Saladin following the decisive Battle of Hattin. Although German Crusaders attempted to retake the fortress in 1197, they were unsuccessful against the reinforced Muslim garrison. In a pivotal moment in 1219, Sultan al-Mu'azzam Isa ordered the secret dismantling of Toron's defenses, along with several other castles, to prevent them from being used by future Crusader expeditions. This act effectively ended the site's utility as a major military stronghold.

Today, the ruins of Toron stand in the modern village of Tebnine as a testament to the turbulent history of the Crusades. While the original fortifications were largely destroyed in the thirteenth century, the location remains a notable historical landmark. The site offers visitors panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and serves as a physical reminder of the complex feudal systems and religious conflicts that defined the region for centuries. Though no longer an active fortress, its legacy persists through historical records and the enduring presence of its remnants in southern Lebanon.

![Photo of Toron](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Tebnine11.jpg)

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