Margat Crusader Fortress, 1186

Margat, in Syria, was originally built by the Arabs in 1062 and sold to the Hospitallers in 1186. The Hospitallers rebuilt and expanded the fortress so that they were able to fend off the attacks of Saladin in 1188.

At the beginning of the thirteenth century, the Hospitallers controlled the land surrounding the fortress and made a large profit from travelers and pilgrims passing through. Isaac Comnenus of Cyprus was imprisoned there after Richard I of England captured Cyprus from him during the Third Crusade.

Margat was finally captured by the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Qalawun, in 1285. The Sultan housed a Mamluk garrison in the fortress.