Outer walls	The Keep

Commanding breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys, Nimrod’s fortress sits high on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon. It is one of the best preserved structures from the Crusader period in the Middle East and is well worth the short hike up to the mountain peak.

Amazing view of highway to Damascus	View of the valley

The fortress received its name “Nimrod” from the Biblical strongman from Babylon. According to Muslim myth, Nimrod built his own castle on the mountain peak and would miraculously reach his arm down the mountain into the Banias Springs 2500 feet below the crest of the mountain. It was also believed that at this location, Nimrod was cursed by the Muslim god, Allah, and a mosquito was placed in his head which eventually drove him mad.

Entrance to the fortress	The entrance archway with inscription

The structure itself is a stone fortress consisting of two parts, the main fortress and the keep. It was built between 1227 and 1230 AD by Al-Aziz Othman, younger brother to the governor of Damascus, Syria as a defensive position overlooking the main passage to Damascus. It is situated on the main route between Tyre (Mediterranean coastal city in modern day Lebanon) and Damascus, Syria. The crusaders attempted to take the fortress from the Arabs in 1253 AD but were unsuccessful. The fortress finally fell to the Mongol invaders in 1260 AD as they swept through Syria from the East. In the valley bellow Nimrod’s fortress, the Mongol invasion was thwarted by Sultan of the Mamelukes, Baybars, and the fortress was awarded to his second-in-command, Bilik. Bilik reconstructed and expanded the fortress in 1275 AD and placed an impressive inscription to his own greatness over the front gate to the fortress. The fortress declined in importance after the final crusade and was eventually used as a prison in the 15th century AD.

Guard towers	Corner guard tower

Today visitors enjoy the panoramic views from the many fortified watchtowers, marvel at the ingenious architecture which includes a working water cistern, and are intrigued by a “secret passage” which descends into the bowels of the fortress. It is a “must see” location on your next visit to Israel.

Underground water cistern	An overhead view of the cistern