Nimrod Fortress

Nimrod – this is the name of the fortress that is located in northern Israel. The fortress was built in the 13th century. Today, the ruins of Nimrod are national wealth. The height of this area reaches 800 meters above sea level.

Throughout all the time, the fortress has changed its name more than once, but still, its main name, sounds like Nimrod, which is associated with the biblical king. When studying the history of the castle, the question repeatedly arose of who raised it. There are several versions of the answers to this question, but it is considered residual that it was built by Osman al-Aziz, who falls on Saladin's nephew and one of the sons of al-Adil. This grandiose construction began to be erected, around 1229, in order to prevent incursions into Damascus by the crusaders. At first, the name of the castle existed as « a castle on a huge rock », which in the local language sounds like Kalaat al Subeiba. A little later, the fortress was upset, and it began to occupy the territory of the entire ridge. After 30 years, Nimrod was strengthened, and at that time several new towers appeared here. Extensive construction here unfolded in 1275, when the fortress passed into the hands of Bilik, who was one of the commanders of Beibars. It was he who immortalized the name of his master, creating here a beautiful figure of a carved lion, which is a symbol of the Sultan.

There were times in the history of the fortress that it was simply abandoned, the fault of which was the Muslim-Cruscan wars. After the castle, after the next attacks, the Turkish conquerors took possession of the castle, the local land, with its powerful buildings, served as a prison for the Ottoman experts. Around the sixteenth century, Nimrod’s fortress was forgotten, at that time it was popular only among local shepherds that herds of sheep fell. After several centuries, the castle was destroyed by an earthquake.

And, only in the 20th century, the Nimrod fortress was restored by the management of the Israel Reserve. Nowadays, this castle is protected by the state and has the status of a national reserve.

Nimrod Fortress, in our time, visits many excursion groups. Tourists are invited to explore this landmark of Israel, combining with a beautiful story about its history.

Some Nimrod towers can only be viewed from the outside, but there are also those where the excavations are finished. Wonderful landscapes open from these towers, as well as a beautiful view of the entire structure. In addition to the towers, you can also go to the hall, from which there are several exits to various balconies with loopholes. It is also allowed to go down a couple of floors below, following the spiral staircase. Near the castle there is a reservoir.

All the charms of the castle and the surrounding mountain territory can be appreciated by going to the observation deck of the Nimrod fortress.