Lattakia
When Syrians want to go on a weekend getaway, they often visit the waterfront town of Lattakia to enjoy the sunny beaches and small cafes. The Port of Lattakia is the main seaport in Syria. Lattakia had been a port town for centuries but it wasn’t until 1951 when the modern harbour was built. Work had begun in 1950 with the help of a $6 million loan from Saudi Arabia and in 1975 it became a critical port after the loss of the Beirut and Tripoli ports due to unstable political situation in Lebanon. Many people visit Lattakia to enjoy the sunny beaches but there is also a number of notable historic places to visit while you are there including the Salah el-Din Citadel and the Saladin Castle.
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Salah el-Din Citadel - a castle in Syria also known as Saône or Saladin Castle. Located 7 km east of Al-Haffah town and 30 km east of the city of Latakia, in high mountainous terrain on a ridge between two deep ravines and surrounded by forest, the site has been fortified since at least the mid 10th century. In 975 the Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes captured the site and it remained under Byzantine control until around 1108. Early in the 12th century the Franks assumed control of the site and it was part of the newly formed Crusader state of the Principality of Antioch. The Crusaders undertook an extensive building programme, giving the castle much of its current appearance. In 1188 it fell to the forces of Saladin after a three-day siege. The castle was again besieged in 1287, this time both defender and belligerent were Mamluks. In 2006, the castles of Qal'at Salah El-Din and Krak des Chevaliers was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The site is owned by the Syrian government.
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Saladin Castle, a huge solid fortress upstanding on the edge of the gigantic fosse, is located 24 km east of Lattakia. While its defences are less intact than studied symmetry of the Krak des Chevaliers and it is less sombre and brooding in its aspect than Marqab, this is an example of Crusader castle-building at its most romantic. The castle represents the flamboyance of the Crusader enterprise - perhaps folly is a better word - in a raw and beautiful location, softened today by the peaceful setting and on a spring day, the profusion of wildflowers that cover the scene.
Long before the Crusaders, the site was chosen for its defensive properties. Its commanding location protected the sweep of the broad plain behind Lattakia, the reason which probably led to the earliest fortification by the Phoenicians (early 1st millennium BC) who were holding it when Alexander reached Syria around 333 BC.
Long before the Crusaders, the site was chosen for its defensive properties. Its commanding location protected the sweep of the broad plain behind Lattakia, the reason which probably led to the earliest fortification by the Phoenicians (early 1st millennium BC) who were holding it when Alexander reached Syria around 333 BC.
Waterfront in Lattakia
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Teresa at the Waterfront in Lattakia
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Waterfront in Lattakia
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Waterfront in Lattakia
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For tips on visiting the Middle East CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
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Where I Stayed...
Al Gandoul Hotel Lattakia, Syria Al-Corniche Tel: 477-681 Single rooms starting at $22 USD. Talk about a room with a view, located right across from the shipping docks overlooking the sea, this hotel is great value for your money. |
How to Get There - Fly into Aleppo or Damascus then take a cab or mini bus to Lattakia.
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