Nimrod Fortress

The Nimrod Fortress, a national park, is the biggest Crusade era castle in all of Israel. It's a stunning mountain-top stronghold spanning back to the 13th century, located on the slopes of Mount Hermon above the Banias Spring.

  As we walked up to the fortress, we saw scrap iron sculptures of animals. After a second look, I realized there was a sculpture of a bat!

Photo: A dragon sculpture.

Photo: The sign post gave us a better sense of our location is relation to other cities. The Nimrod Fortress was founded in the Middle Ages (probably by the Crusaders) to defend the city of Banias against Muslim incursions in the valley below and rises 2,624 feet (half a mile) above sea level. It is named after a biblical hero, Nimrod, (Genesis 10:8-9) who, according to local tradition, dwelt on this summit.

Later, the Muslim rulers of Damascus rebuilt it to defend their border against the Crusaders. During the 12th-13th centuries, it changed hands several times, but it was maintained and strengthened mainly by the Muslims, as attested to by the numerous Arabic inscriptions found incorporated into the building.

Photo: Looking down from the fortress. The students came in two groups to this site. Since our bus was the first to arrive, we filled up our water bottles (yes, that is what I said) and planned to overtake the other group from the top with water we squirted down on them. However, we didn't know they would be armed with rubber swords. They charged up and a battle incurred and before we knew it, the college students (and adults) turned into 5 years olds! It was crazy and lightened our day.

We enjoyed marvelous views from every corner of the fortress.

The ruins of Nimrod Fortress are beautiful and well-preserved. This photo was taken from one fortress looking across to the other as it was expanded.

Photo: The view from the fortress is spectacular of the valley below.

Photo: Lookout.

Photo: There were battles here.

Photo: It was windy and chilly at the top so we were glad we had our jackets. (Garth, Kathy, and Nolan, JC student.

Photo: Iron artifact left from battle.

Photo: Looking out from the galley.

Photo: One last look at the valley below.

At the end of the 13th century, the Muslim conquest of the port city of Acre on the Mediterranean signified the end of Crusader rule in the Holy Land. The Nimrod fortress lost its strategic value and fell into disrepair; the ruins visible today bear silent witness to the past.