Saida’s Sea Castle

#postandearn #saida’s Sea Castle The Sidon Sea Castle, also known as Saida Sea Castle, is a historic fortress situated in the port city of Sidon (Saida), Lebanon. Constructed by the Crusaders in 1228, it stands on a small island connected to the mainland by an 80-meter-long causeway.  🏰 Historical Background • Crusader Construction: Built in 1228 by the Crusaders, the castle was established on a site that previously housed a temple dedicated to Melqart, the Phoenician equivalent of Heracles.  • Mamluk Renovation: After the Mamluks captured Sidon, they partially destroyed the castle to prevent its use by returning Crusaders. They later rebuilt it and added the causeway.  • 17th-Century Restoration: In the early 17th century, Emir Fakhreddine II restored the castle as part of his efforts to fortify the region.  🏗️ Architectural Features • Twin Towers: The castle comprises two main towers connected by a wall. The west tower, rectangular in shape, is better preserved and features a large vaulted room containing carved capitals and rusted cannonballs.  • Roman Columns: Roman columns were repurposed as horizontal reinforcements in the outer walls, a common practice in fortifications built near former Roman sites.  • Ottoman-Era Mosque: Atop the west tower lies a small domed mosque from the Ottoman period, known as “Masjed Qalaat el Bahr.”  🌊 Submerged Antiquities Beneath the surrounding waters, remnants of the ancient Phoenician city, including structures, columns, stairways, and statues, have been discovered, indicating the area’s rich historical layers. Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping -