The castle seems straight out of a history book on the Crusades. Perched on a mountaintop, it is the finest example of a Crusader fortress, built to protect the Latin states of the Near East. Approaching from Homs or Hama, its silhouette may be seen from a great distance. Although not the largest fortress of its kind, the care lavished on its construction and its excellent state of preservation make this a monument of exceptional importance.