Monday 29 September 2014

Safita - Syria - The White Tower

This was a trip I made back in 1999.
I wonder if the tower still exists ????

Built by the Knights Templar during the Crusades. In French its know as Chastel Blanc (Arabic: Burj Safita or Safita Tower‎).




A page from my travel diary.


felt-tip pen sketch.

In 1999 all that remained of Chastel Blanc was the central tower or donjon.
Originally it was surrounded by two defensive walls which were typical in Crusader architecture.
When this drawing was done, the tower was a Greek Orthodox church dedicated to St Michael. 
I wonder if it's been converted to a Mosque, destroyed by ISIS, or bombed by who knows who???
All very sad.

 The White Tower was both a chapel for the crusader knights & a fortress. It's 28 metres high and has walls 3 metres thick.




Safita's location on the Mediterranean coast of Syria
This pic was taken in 1905 by Gertrude Bell

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10 comments:

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    1. Hello Bashar??
      Is that you ? do you remember me? Its nearly 20 years ago.
      How are you doing?
      Jon

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    2. im fine thank you i miss you do you have skype or whatsapp to can communicate with you

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  4. Oh and Safita is still as beautiful as it was, it hasn’t been touched by the war.

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  5. Hello Mr Jon,
    I am a citizen of Safita and I would like to take your permission to use the picture you drew of Safita in a project of mine which will be viewed to the public.
    Thank you!

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    1. Hello Yes of course you may use the drawing. Thanks for asking for permission. Do credit the drawing. I go by the name of "jondent"

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