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We had breakfast all to ourselves as it seems that everyone wanted to get to Krak Des Chevaliers early.As it was, when we arrived at 'Krak ' it was pretty quiet so maybe our reputation had preceded us so the groups all made a sharp exit before we got there.Anyway, we had a guide of sorts who gave us some of the history, inwhat sounded like Old English dialect (he left without a tip), and on the way out Maria asked a chap sat down by the entrance a couple of questions to help plug our knowledge gap.He was extremely knowledgeable, spoke excellent English and spent 15 minutes with us.'That was excellent, you should be a guide' said Maria when we finished...he was of course a guide!
The Krak Des Chevaliers was built by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1142 to 1271.With further construction by the Mamluks in the late 13th century, it ranks among the best-preserved examples of the Crusader castles. The Qal'at Salah El-Din (Fortress of Saladin), even though partly in ruins, represents an outstanding example of this type of fortification, both in terms of the quality of construction and the survival of historical stratigraphy.It retains features from its Byzantine beginnings in the 10th century, the Frankish transformations in the late 12th century and fortifications added by the Ayyubid dynasty (late 12th to mid-13th century).These two castles represent the most significant examples illustrating the exchange of influences and documenting the evolution of fortified architecture in the Near East during the time of the Crusades (11th - 13th centuries).
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marc and sue hi guys great pics hope you are having a great time. will look again soon take care love from all