Unfinished SYRIA AND PRACTICAL JORDAN (continued, part 5) Tuesday about two hours we reached the Castle of Salah ad-Din. While traveling in Syria can be seen that the roads here are pretty good, but no road signs where they should be. For example, near a busy road junctions. But even more striking debris scattered along the roads. United Kingdom - not the cleanest place in the world, but in Syria, the amount of rubbish along the roads has become just a biblical scale. Even in fields where something grows, the land is dotted with plastic bags. I even thought that one of the fields in bloom some small plants. On closer examination, the flowers were fragments of packets. Our guide explained that people still do not think that should look like the countryside, and in order that they begin to worry about it, it will take some time. I think a lot of time. Man-made canyon near the castle of Salah ad-Din ride on the roads of Syria is not so bad, though, we have recently returned from India, so we know exactly what is "inept driving. The driver of our bus was quite sensible and careful. We even applauded him after he was backing up at a decent speed traveled about 500 meters up the hill. Unfortunately, his reputation was slightly damaged when it is, again, the rear gear, drove into a car that was parked in an empty parking lot near the restaurant. Naturally, the hapless "Schumacher" very upset. Restaurant where we dined, was worthy of great praise for a good menu of delicious snacks. However, about food can be forgotten while enjoying a wonderful view over the valley and the Castle of Salah ad-Din, or as it is called here, Qalaat Saladin. In fact, it was the Phoenician fortifications that were built in the first millennium BC and later seized by the Byzantines. In the XII century the castle was conquered by the Crusaders, which greatly altered his appearance, making him as he stands before us today. In 1119 he captured the French knight Robert de Saone, and until recently the castle was known as Castle Saone. In 1188, after a short siege captured the Castle of Salah ad-Din. Subsequently, the castle went Mamluks (powerful military caste, whose members are descended from former slaves) for a while, he came under the influence of a rebellious ruler, but was quickly returned to the Mamluks. After 1287 the castle lost its former importance. Perhaps the most striking feature of the castle is a man-made ditch about 30 meters in depth, which separates the castle from the surrounding hills. To support the bridge at the bottom of the ditch was installed from the monolithic stone pillar. Going down the long stairs, we passed through the castle gate and immediately saw a huge number of buildings that are built his masters, who held them at different times. A huge tower, built by the Crusaders, especially impressive, as its summit offers stunning views for miles around. No wonder the castle was built on a strategically advantageous position. Inside the castle of Salah ad-Din Then we went to the city of Ugarit, which is one of the most important places of archaeological point of view in the Middle East, if not the world as it is here, as you know, it was found the image very first letter . Here, incidentally, was found and image of the first note signs. People lived in this place nine thousand years ago, but the most interesting for archaeologists period - from six to three thousand years ago. During this period the city was ruled Mesopotamians. Period of about three or four thousand years ago became the golden age of Ugarit, where trade and the ability to make items made of bronze allowed him to become very rich and influential. Over time, came to the fore the ability to work with iron, and after the invasion of "Sea Peoples" (a group of Mediterranean people, to attack in the XIII century BC Egypt and neighboring states, ca. Perevi.), The city went into decline and eventually was abandoned. Buildings collapsed and in ruins, which are now pleased to inspect thousands of sightseers. The exhibition was opened only in 1928 when the first time you get into town, immediately draws attention to how it was overgrown. No building is preserved in its original form, they all collapsed, and plaques with inscriptions is almost impossible to discern. Without a guide here to do nothing, otherwise you guessed it, for example, that at some carved stones used to keep hay for horses? Could see the palace, adjacent streets and basement, which is particularly well preserved, but overall, this place looks more like a large blossoming meadow, over the greens which rise in places the remnants of ancient buildings. Let us hope that someday in the study and improvement of this important archaeological site to be invested more money and effort. Start material: Read more:
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