SYRIA: The Citadel of Salah Ed-Din

SYRIA: The Citadel of Salah Ed-Din May 17, 2010

This is the ninth in a 15-part series of pics from Syria.

FirstSecondThirdFourthFifthSixthSeventhEighthNinthTenthEleventhTwelfthThirteenthFourteenthFifteenth.


Today, we’re heading to Saladin Castle (read some history here); that’s it up on the hill in the distance.


But, first things first: Another breakfast by the Mediterranean.


Then, on to the castle …


The current entryway, by winding road; in the olden days, an access bridge lay across that center pillar.


While this was only my second visit to a bonafide citadel — or castle — while in Syria, I must tell you (probably due to old movies and fantasy) it seemed a “familiar world”.


The castle sprawls over the mountain top.


My new friend and tour guide, Alfred.


This pic, and the one below … from the dungeon!


Remember that bridge I mentioned? Well, it went here …


As we duel across the bridge with our swords, you — the loser, of course — may wish to peer toward your peril.


Bah! In reality, you really can hurt yourself here; the hyper-security due to the threat of lawsuits that governs attractions in America is absent in Syria.


Nice.


See, there in the distance, me with my arm raised shoulder high as I whistle for my pet Hawk named Ravenwood?


Okay, okay … enough of that.


Time to say farewell to fantasy and head toward monastic reality …

Next up: The women’s Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Podcast – “The Blindside” (in Syria); Article – Antiochian website


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