Page 47 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL SIGHTS

MAIN IMAGE Magnificent Krak des Chevaliers, with wildflowers in the
foreground BELOW (left to right) Ruined walls and archways inside the
castle; interior of the vaulted Gothic cloister at Krak des Chevaliers

4 MORE MEDIEVAL
FORTRESSES TO RIVAL
THE TOWER OF LONDON

BEAUMARIS CASTLE, ANGLESEY, WALES Acclaimed as the
finest concentric castle in Europe, this impressive fortress was
built by King Edward I in 1295 on the island of Anglesey, off the
Welsh coast, as part of his campaign to subdue the principality.
KARAK CASTLE, KARAK, JORDAN This splendid Crusader
castle stands at a strategic crossroads in southern Jordan and
occupies the highest point of a prominent hill. Extraordinarily,
the modern town of Karak, which has grown up alongside the
castle, is enclosed by the medieval walls that encircle the hilltop.
BEAUFORT CASTLE, NABATIEH, LEBANON Lebanon’s finest
Crusader castle dates from 1139. The stronghold has also played
a part in modern warfare, with control of the ruins in recent
decades passing between local militias and the Israeli army.
CHATEAU GAILLARD, EURE, FRANCE Built in 1197 under
the orders of King Richard I (the Lionheart) – who was also
duke of Normandy – this ruined hulk stands near Rouen, its
mighty round tower dominating a curve in the Seine.

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