The Crac des Chevaliers or Crusaders Castle sits on a flattened hilltop with commanding views of the surrounding area. It´s the epitome of what one would imagine a crusader fortress to be--- impregnable defensive walls, round watchtowers, even a moat. The 12th century knights expanded the already existing fortress into the awesome structure you can witness today. They did such a good job that the castle walls were never breached. However, as the number of garrisoned knights dwindled and the armies of Islam lay siege, the writing was on the wall (figuratively of course) that there would be no reprieve. In a deal between combatants, the Crusader knights agreed to give up the castle in exchange for a safe passage home. Not a bad deal when you think about it. In the end, the castle´s thick stone ramparts had saved their lives.