Montfort: the Historic Crusader Castle in Northern Israel

HOLY LAND UNCOVERED | The crusaders left their mark on the Holy Land with several sites demonstrating their affluence. Look no further than Montfort, which sits atop the rolling hills of northern Israel and serves as a memory of their efforts to conquer the territory from Muslim hands. 

Story:

The Crusader era fuels the imaginations of many. It was a time of knights and kings, castles and battles in the Holy Land. One place in particular tells us not only the story of this peculiar period, but also some anecdotes regarding the internal conflicts of the Jerusalem Kingdom in the 11th and 12th century CE. The history of the place goes back even further. 

The Talmud talks about a castle called 'Katzrah de Galeel' — Castle of the Galilee in Hebrew. It once stood just south of where Montfort is, and from this old castle's stones, the newer Montfort was built.

The Montfort castle was established by the Milly family – a French family who ruled the area now known as the Western Galilee. In 1187, following the expedition of Saladin in the area, the castle fell into the hands of Arab forces and, in 1192, the Crusaders recaptured the castle, and later it was sold to the Teutonic Knights order.

Research shows that the Montfort’s main purpose was not to protect the Teutonic knights from other orders who ruled the Holy Land. It was used mainly as an administrative headquarter and had no military significance. A tour of the site teaches us more about the Teutonic order.

Early research suggested that the Monfort was built in a rush, but Dr. Adrian Boas of Haifa University recently discovered a new hall which suggests that the knights who lived here had comparatively luxurious lives. 

Crusader domination at the site was short-lived. The downfall came in the late 13th century following the attack of the Mamluks headed by their king Baybars.

Until Baybars manages to bring down. That’s how we know a lot about them today. For years, this place stood deserted and neglected, but more recently research here has been growing. This place gives us a rare glimpse into magical times, a significant chapter in the history of the holy land.

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