The town of Safita (Arabic صافيتا) is located at the North-West of the current Syria, more precisely in the south-east of Tartous and the North-West of the Krak of the Knights. Built in the chain of the coastal mountains of Syria, on three hills and in the intermediate valleys, the city counts 33000 inhabitants.

It is especially known for the important place that it occupied during the Croisades, whereas it was attached to the county of Tripoli. Built by the Templiers on former fortifications, the tower known as of the Chastel Blanc overhangs the agglomeration and the surroundings.

Old story

The city is inhabited since the time of the Phéniciens and several archaeological discoveries give a report on a phenician presence but also cananéenne.

Crusades

In 1102, Raymond IV of Toulouse undertakes to conquer the grounds belonging to the emirs of the dynasty of Banu Ammar of Tripoli. After a four year old seat, the Crusader takes the entirety controls town of Tripoli and several territories of the surroundings, of which Safita. The Sultan Mamelouk Qalawun will capture in its turn the county in 1289 and Safita will pass by again under Moslem authority.

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