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Not many people know
about the Crusader castle in the southern village of Tibneen, but
it's well worth the long trip to get there. The castle's commanding
position on a hilltop in the center of the town gives it its name
"Toron", an old French meaning "high place".
From here there are views in every direction, with an especially
beautiful panorama taking in the coast and mountains of South Lebanon.
Crusader Prince Hugh de Saint Omer, Governor of Tiberias, built
the castle in 1105 to defend the area while he got ready for the
siege of Tyre. In 1187 the castle fell to Salaheddin after the battle
of Hittin, but the Franks won it back in 1229. Finally it was conquered
by the Mamluke Sultan al-Zahir Baybars in 1266 and thereafter remained
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In the centuries that followed,
the Mamlukes and later the Ottomans, used the citadel for their
own purposes and its structure was changed many times depending
on who was in control. The Governor of Acre, Zaher al-Omar, for
example, fortified and restored the castle, but his successor,
Ahmad al-Jazzar, did his best to destroy it.
Although the Tibneen castle has been altered a good deal, it retains
the feeling of a real fortress, with its massive walls and panoramic
views. The building occupies 2,000 m2 and still preserves its
main features:
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1) a fortification wall with square
or semi-circular towers,
2) the main entrance and
3) the arches of a tower, and
4) the remains of a bigger tower to the east.
The big tower consists of three rooms with standing pillars and
ceilings, while the remains of other towers are scattered around
the site. The General Directorate of Antiquities is renovating
this historic landmark, and the Ministry of Tourism is providing
illumination so visitors can admire it at night.
Tibneen, which is 112 km from Beirut, is reached by way of Tyre
or Bint Jbail. This is major town with plenty of facilities, outdoor
cafes and restaurants but, of course, the castle is the major
attraction.
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South Lebanon:
