Qalaat al-Madiq

P3

Qal al - Mudiq, view from Apamea

Qal al - Mudiq is a citadel in Syria, which was fortified by the Seleucids and expanded by the Crusaders. The citadel was rebuilt several times and is today - much like the Citadel of Tartus - inhabited.

History

The survey of the later citadel al - Qal Mudiq was settled very early - on the south slopes of the Acropolis traces of settlement have been discovered dating from the fourth millennium. Other tracks come from the second millennium BC and the 9th century. Under Seleucus the nearby city of Apamea was founded and also secured the citadel hill. As an important base in the Orontes valley Qal al - Mudiq was from the 10th century heavily fought over by Christians and Muslims. 975 succeeded the Byzantines to conquer the citadel. Already 993 it was recaptured by the Fatimids. 1106, the citadel was conquered by the Crusaders Tancred. In particular, the Munqidhiten from the Shaizar, 25 km away rendered fierce resistance. An important source for this is the Arabic author Usama ibn Munqidh who fought even against the Crusaders and his experiences in his book Kitab al - i'tibar ( "Book of teaching by examples " ) wrote. In 1149 the city was reconquered by Nur ad - Din. Today the citadel is used as a living room.