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Bani Qahtan Castle
Latakia Governorate, Syria
Bani Qahtan Castle
Coordinates	35°35′N 36°04′E / 35.583°N 36.067°E / 35.583; 36.067
Type	Castle

Bani Qahtan castle (Arabic: قلعة بني قحطان) is found in the Syrian Coastal Mountains, about 40 km from Latakia city.

The Bani Qahtan Castle also refers to the small village surrounding the castle. It is administratively part of the Ayn al-Sharqiyah subdistrict of the Jableh District of Latakia Governorate. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, it had a population of 347 in the 2004 census.

History

The castle which was known as Bikisrail, was controlled by Byzantine doux of Antioch, Niketas of Mistheia, in 1032. It was later captured by Crusaders led by Tancred in 1111. The castle was later mentioned as being a stronghold in the hands of Nizari Ismaili in 1131, who surrendered it to Saladin in 1188.

Structure

The castle is totally damaged and not much remained from it, as its ruins are dated back to the 12th century. It is reached by car road through Baniyas-Jableh road from west. External walls are well preserved, which contain the whole massive of the castle. The castle is situated on a high mountain, accessible only from the south through a narrow piece of land.

References

1. General Census of Population and Housing 2004 Archived 2013-01-13 at archive.today
2. France 2002, p. 91
3. Theotokis & Meško 2020, p. 256.
4. "Qalaat Bani Qahtan". Monuments of Syria. 1 January 2014.

Bibliography

• France, John (2002), Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades 1000-1300, Routledge, ISBN 9781135365066
• Theotokis, Georgios; Meško, Marek (2020). War in Eleventh-Century Byzantium. Routledge. ISBN 9780429576881.

v t e Latakia Governorate
Latakia District Latakia Subdistrict Latakia Baksa Burj al-Qasab Kirsana Mushayrafet al-Samouk al-Qanjarah Sinjwan Sitmarkho Sqoubin Ayn al-Bayda Subdistrict Ayn al-Bayda Burj Islam Mashqita al-Safsaf Salib al-Turkman al-Shabatliyah Bahluliyah Subdistrict al-Bahluliyah al-Jandiriyah Hanadi Subdistrict Hanadi al-Bassah Fideo al-Sanawbar al-Shir Kessab Subdistrict Kessab Qastal Ma'af Subdistrict Qastal Ma'af al-Badrusiyah Balloran Umm al-Tuyour Zaghrin Rabia Subdistrict Rabia
Jableh District Jableh Subdistrict Jableh Arab al-Mulk Bisaysin al-Burjal Bustan al-Basha Dirghamo Hmeimim al-Qabu Ras al-Ayn al-Sharashir Siyannu Ayn al-Sharqiyah Subdistrict Ayn al-Sharqiyah Bani Qahtan Castle Qurn Hulya Mutawwar Zama Ayn Shiqaq Subdistrict Ayn Shiqaq Benjaro Btigramo al-Budi al-Qassabin Sarabion Beit Yashout Subdistrict Beit Yashout Bsheili Halbakko Hallet Ara Daliyah Subdistrict Daliyah Beit Ana Qutailibiyah Subdistrict al-Qutailibiyah al-Aqibah Baabda Bashraghi Dweir Baabda (incl. Sarabion) Hamam al-Qarahleh Qurfays
Al-Haffah District Haffah Subdistrict Al-Haffah Babna Jankil Zanqufa Ayn al-Tineh Subdistrict Ayn al-Tineh al-Jandiriyah Kinsabba Subdistrict Kinsabba Brouma Duwayrika Kabani Ta'uma Muzayraa Subdistrict Muzayraa Difa Slinfah Subdistrict Slinfah Salma Aramo
Qardaha District Qardaha Subdistrict Qardaha al-Fakhurah Bahamra Bayt Suhin Bishalama Bisrama Dabbash Harf al-Musaytirah Istamo Jawbat Burghal Kilmakho Mahalibeh Castle Yarte

v t e Castles in Syria
Abu Qubays Aleika Castle Castle of al-Al Al-Sheikh Deeb Castle Areimeh Castle Bani Qahtan Castle Bourzey castle Burj al-Sabi Chastel Blanc Chastel Rouge Krak des Chevaliers Citadel of Aleppo Citadel of Damascus Citadel of Homs Hama Castle Al-Kahf Castle Khariba Castle Khawabi Maniqa Castle Margat Masyaf Castle Montferrand Nimrod Castle Palmyra Castle Qal'at Ja'bar Qal'at Najm Qalaat al-Madiq Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi Qasr Ibn Wardan Qulay'a Castle Al-Rahba Sahyun Castle Shaizar Shmemis Qalaat al-Shaghur Qal'at Sukkara Citadel of Tartus
Also See: Castles in Syria

• Castles in Syria
• Archaeological sites in Latakia Governorate
• Buildings and structures in Latakia Governorate