The Crusades

Cross Roads of Civilisations

The Crusaders invaded Syria at the end of the 11th century starting with the brutal taking of the city of Antioch in the far north western corner of Syria.

They took advantage of the Seljuqs weakness and settled with heavy fortifications on the Syrian coastal mountains.

They then seized Jerusalem by the beginning of the 12th century.

It was not until the second half of the 12th century that the Seljuq King Nour Eddine Zengi started turning the tables against the Crusaders.

Salah Eddine added to this new momentum by retaking Jerusalem towards the end of the 12th century.

It was the Mamluk Sultan Baibars, however, who finally managed to bring an end to the Crusades in the Orient at the end of the 13th century.

It is important to note that Syria’s majority Christian population at the time fought along their Muslim compatriots against the Crusaders.

Krak des Chevaliers