Ancient Tell: Beirut Castle

Ancient Tell: Beirut Castle is located in downtown Beirut, Lebanon.

Overview
An 8th century fortress, the castle was renovated by Crusader commander Jean d’Ibelin in 1197. Severely damaged in 1840, it was never rebuilt.

Construction
Fortification towers often served as important navigation marks whereby sailors aiming to reach the Beirut harbor would set a course that kept Burj al-Musallah in line with Burj al-Kashef on Martyrs’ Square. Both were demolished in 1892. The southeastern tower of the Crusader castle was separated from the land by a 14-meter-wide moat. The Crusader commander, Jean d’Ibelin, took control of Beirut in 1197 and undertook renovation works on the castle. When Mamluk troops captured the city from the Crusaders in 1291, they partly demolished the fortifications. Bombardments by a Russian fleet in 1827 and a British fleet in 1840 gave the final blow to the damaged castle. It became militarily obsolete and was never rebuilt.

History
Besides being impressive landmarks and key elements in the city defenses, fortification towers often served as important navigation marks. Within the precinct of the Beirut castle, a small tower referred to as Burj al-Musallah functioned as a leading mark for approaching ships. Sailors found safe access to the Beirut harbor by setting a course that kept Burj al-Musallah in line with Burj al-Kashef on Martyrs’ Square. Both were demolished in 1892. The southeastern tower of the Crusader castle was separated from the land by a 14-meter-wide moat. Hidden in the western wall of the tower was a secret exit, discovered at the level of the moat. In the Umayyad period, Beirut was a fortified city. The Crusader commander, Jean d’Ibelin, took control of Beirut in 1197 and undertook renovation works on the castle. When Mamluk troops captured the city from the Crusaders in 1291, they partly demolished the fortifications. Bombardments by a Russian fleet in 1827 and a British fleet in 1840 gave the final blow to the damaged castle. It became militarily obsolete and was never rebuilt.

Timeline
1197: Crusader commander Jean d’Ibelin took control of Beirut and undertook renovation works on the Beirut castle.

1291: Mamluk troops captured the city from the Crusaders and partly demolished the fortifications.

1827: Russian fleet bombarded Beirut Castle.

1840: Bombardments by a British fleet gave final blow to the damaged castle, which became obsolete and was never rebuilt.

1892: demolition of Burj al-Musallah and Burj al-Kashef which previously served as a navigation mark for approaching ships.