Cafarlet Crusader Castle, 13th century

Cafarlet Castle, today at Moshav Ha-Bonim, was built by the Crusaders seigneuria of Caesarea. In 1213 the fortress was given to the order of “Hospitallers” – the order of the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John – as a loan collateral. It was sold to the order of the Templars in 1232. The Moslems captured and destroyed it in 1265, but the fortress was reconstructed later by the Templars.

What is unique about the castle is that unlike other square castles, Cafarlet features rounded guard towers – the remains of which are still clearly visible.