Crusades Tartus

the crusader-era cathedral of our lady of tortosa.

the crusaders called city antartus, , tortosa. first captured raymond of saint-gilles, left in 1105 son alfonso jordan , known tortosa. in 1123 crusaders built semi-fortified cathedral of our lady of tortosa on byzantine church popular pilgrims. cathedral used mosque after muslim reconquest of city, barracks ottomans. renovated under french , city museum, containing antiquities recovered amrit , many other sites in region. nur ad-din zangi retrieved tartus crusaders brief time before lost again.

in 1152, tortosa handed knights templar, used military headquarters. engaged in major building projects, constructing castle large chapel , elaborate keep, surrounded thick double concentric walls. templars mission protect city , surrounding lands, of had been occupied christian settlers, muslim attack. city of tortosa recaptured saladin in 1188, , main templar headquarters relocated cyprus. however, in tortosa, templars able retreat keep, continued use base next 100 years. steadily added fortifications until fell, in 1291. tortosa last outpost of templars on syrian mainland, after retreated garrison on nearby island of arwad, held decade.