Crac des Chevaliers
Crac des Chevaliers is a medieval castle in Syria that is one of the most important and best preserved in the world. The castle was built by Kurdish troops in the 11th century and then was given to the Knights Hospitaller in 1142. It was renovated from 1140 until 1170 after being damaged by an earthquake, but remained under the possession of the Knights Hospitaller until 1271. It was not until the 19th century that the name Crac des Chevaliers was given to the castle.
The Hospitallers controlled a number of castles along the border of the County of Tripoli, but Crac des Chevaliers acted as an administrative center and military base. In the 13th century additional building was done on the site to make it into a concentric castle with the addition of the outer wall. In the 19th century, architectural plans were drawn up of the site due to renewed interest in medieval castles at the time.
Sometime in the 19th or 20th century, a settlement built up inside the castle and began to damage the fabric. So in 1933 the inhabitants were moved out and the French began restoration of the site. In 1946 Syria declared independence and took over control of the castle.
With the outbreak of the Syrian civil in 2011, the Crac des Chevaliers was one of the world heritage sites that UNESCO feared might be in danger of being destroyed. Fears were confirmed when the castle was reportedly shelled in August 2012. It was damaged again during an airstrike in July 2013 and then again in August 2013. In 2014 the Syrian Arab Army was able to recapture the castle and while the extent of the damage is still largely unknown, the Syrian government had said that they have already begun repairs.