Israel, Caferlet (Habonim) Crusader Castle

Caferlet Castle is a structure built on the remains of an Umayaad fortress from the 8th Century AD, making it very old. It was built to protect the area from Byzantine invasion. The castle was at the time a so called quadriburgium, which means a late Antique fort. It was still standing when the Crusaders reached the Holy Land. The Hospitaller Order bought the castle from the Lord in Caesarea in 1213, but in 1255 the Knights Templars had acquired the castle for the neatly sum of 16000 Bezants. Today that would estimate a rough 10 Million US Dollars, not to mention the value of the gold at the time! The Mamlukes conquered the place in 1265, but it was retaken by the Crusaders shortly afterwards who held it until 1291, when it was re-conquered for the last time by the Mamlukes. It is thought that when the Crusaders took over the place, it was fairly neglected and kept in that condition as there were other castles in the area such as Chateau Pelerin, which had a higher strategic value.