Chastelet

The castle was built during the Crusades by the Knights Templar and the forces of the Kingdom of Jerusalem but was destroyed by the army of Saladin in 1179.

[4] The castle was intended to act as a bulwark against Muslim incursions into the Kingdom of Jerusalem and to strength protection for pilgrims and traders through Christian Palestine.

[1][2] Some 1,500 men were camped at the fortress when Saladin began an initial attack that was repulsed in June.

[1] A heavy intense siege resulted in the fall of the barbican (gatehouse) but the castle held for several days until miners succeeded digging a tunnel that brought down the main tower.

[3] The surviving defenders were executed and the armoury was seized, including some 1,000 coats of armour and the castle was extensively demolished to prevent further use by the Christian forces.