Castle Pilgrim

Geographical description

The castle Pèlerin was one of the largest fortresses templières in Holy Land. It was built on a rocky outcrop surrounded by water which was located on the side Mediterranean, to approximately 25 km in the north of Césarée and to approximately 12 km in the south of Acre and of the Mont Carmel in the frank kingdom of Jerusalem, and in the east of the tower of Strait, the latter being already in possession of Templiers. It is today in Israel.

The origin

First crossed Fifth crusade, whose king of Hungary Andre II, arrive to Palestine in 1217. Forced to await the arrival of the major part of the quota, the crusaders present, whose Gauthier d' Avesnes, undertakes several military operations against the Moslem territories in Syria, however without notable results.

On the other hand, they contribute especially to the construction of a powerful coastal fortress on an old site Phénicien between 1217 and 1218. This fortress was given to the templiers in 1220 and was baptized Castle-Pilgrim, in homage to the many Christian pilgrims who contributed voluntarily to his construction . In 1220, although the work is not completed, the garrison present in the fortified town resists victoriously the attack of the Sultan of Damas, while having enough resources to provide the needs of four thousand people during the seat.

Characteristics

Château Pèlerin made 280 meters out of 160 and three on its sides were bathed by the the Mediterranean. The control of the seas remaining on the side of cross (what made it possible to supply the fortified town by this skew), it especially acted to be protected on the side of the grounds. Consequently the east coast, only attached to the continent, is equipped with a ditch and two walls equipped with turns. The ground floor of the keep was occupied by a vault. Moreover, the fortress is located at the edge of a small plain containing of the salt-water marshes, characteristic whose templiers will be able to benefit by exploiting the saltworks.

End

Starting from 1260 the site becomes strictly defensive in the direction where more no offensive is launched since Château Pilgrim. This fortress was not never taken and will be the very last abandoned Holy Land fortified town besides the August 14th 1291, after the loss of Midsummer's Day d' Acre the May 28th of the same year.

The Castle Pilgrim was dismantled thereafter by the Moslem forces.

See too

List of the fortresses Eastern templières

References

DEMURGER Alain, Knights of Christ, the orders monk-soldiers with the Middle Ages, Threshold, 2002,2.02.049888.X
DEMURGER Alain, Templiers. A Christian knighthood with the Middle Ages , the Threshold, 2005
MELVILLE Marion, life of the templiers , Gallimard, 1974

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