Israel: Nimrod Fortress in Golan Heights
Nimrod Fortress is a spectacular medieval fortification built onto a top of a cliff surrounded by sheer drops on all sides. The fortress was built in 1229 at the height of the Islamic empire by the nephew of Salladin and was meant to protect the route to Damascus from any invasion from the west. During the crusader era the fortress was further fortified over and over and never fell into crusader hands. When Ottowan empire expanded, the fortress lost it’s strategic significance and fell into disrepair, but a lot of it still remains in a very good condition. The location is spectacular with the Golan Heights and Mt Hermon to the east and a broad valley to the west – the views are truly panoramic. The fortress structure is amazing as well – Islamic architecture of super thick walls and arched windows – the entire fortress was configured to fit onto the mountaintop and has multiple defensive towers connected by walls. Truly one of the most spectacular fortresses I have ever seen.
