Mahalibeh Castle

Mahalibeh Castle (Arabic: قلعة المهالبة), formerly known as Balatanos or Balatunus (name derived from the Latin Platanus),[1] is located on a high mountain summit near Lattakia, 40 km inland of the Syrian coast.

The Mahalibeh Castle is also an inhabited place, administratively part of the Jawbat Burghal subdistrict of the Qardaha District of Latakia Governorate.

The castle suffered many clashes and damages, and finally surrendered to Saladin in 1188, namely to his son al-Zahir Ghazi, in 1194.

Under Ottoman rule, at least during the early 17th century, the castle was used by the authorities to store grain and rice belonging to the state.

[7] The castle is accessed through a paved road via Qardaha from the west and Jawbat Burghal from the east.