Krak des Chevaliers
The best-preserved Crusader castle in the world. How to reach Qalaat al-Hosn west of Homs, what to see inside, and how long the visit takes.
- Opening hours
- 09:00–17:00
- Entry
- Varies — confirm at the gate
- Duration
- 120 minutes
- Best time
- Afternoon, when the inner courtyard is in shade
- Period
- Crusader — Mamluk
- Address
- Qalaat al-Hosn, Homs
It sits 65 kilometres west of Homs, directly above the pass that separates the coast from the interior. The Knights Hospitaller built it in the 12th century on top of a Kurdish garrison; the castle’s Arabic name, Qalaat al-Hosn, dates from that earlier period.
Why it matters
Two concentric rings of wall, a moat between them and a sloping glacis — the most complete example of medieval military architecture anywhere. The castle never fell to a siege; in 1271 Sultan Baybars is said to have taken it by a ruse.
Inside
The Gothic arcade in the main courtyard is the most graceful thing the French period left behind. The knights’ hall and the enormous kitchen are still standing. From the south-west tower you can see the Nusayriyah mountains, and on a clear day the Mediterranean.
Practical
An hour from Homs by car. There are a lot of slopes and stairs, so comfortable shoes matter. Two hours to walk it, three if you are taking photographs.
Tips
- The stone stairs are worn and slick; smooth soles will fight you
- Climb the south-west tower: on a clear day the Mediterranean is visible
- The Gothic arcade off the knights' hall is the part most tours skip