The fortress of Athlit (Chateau-Pelerin)

Israel, district of Haïfa , on Mediterranean coast, at around 25 km north of Cesaree and around 12 km South of Haïfa.

Hugues de Payns and his first companions had initially been given the mission of protecting pilgrims who wished to meditate at the Holy Sepulchre Church.
In order that this protection was effective, they decided to ensure the guard of the most dangerous pass, known in the chronicles under the name of "the Strait" and which skirted the coast between Césarée and Haïfa.
At a place off shore, they raised the first building on a rocky hillock, which they used as a watch tower. This tower will be the base around which Templars will build one of their most considerable fortress.
The primitive tower will be integrated in the south-eastern angle in the first line of the fortifications of the fortress which will be set up later on a vast headland dominating the floods.

In 1218, Templars, helped by Teutonic Knights and Gauthier d' Avesnes, a Flemish baron, strengthen the position of the tower known as "the Strait" or "Pierre-Encise".
During their work, they discover ancient wall foundations, onto which they decide to assemble the fortifications of their new castle.
Several sources of drinking water are found, as well as remains of walls, which they use for their building.

After the first defensive line, Templars set up one second wall over all the width of the isthmus.
This wall is protected by a moat and is reinforced with three squared salients. At the southern end, the entry door of the castle opens in a recess which faces the sea.
Just behind this second wall, two enormous oblong towers, built with gigantic blocks of stones and connected by a curtain, ensure the defence of the roadway leading to the second door, located that one at the north of the isthmus.

These towers were constituted with rooms arched on two stages, and surmounted by a crenellated terrace. The basement was occupied by vast cellars and stores.

At the back of this defensive system, a large esplanade opens, surrounded by several defensive buildings, walls, salients.
The basement of these buildings also contains various stores and warehouses.
On southern side of the esplanade, towards half of its length, rose the hexagonal vault, which according to Jacques of Vitry, has being one of the most beautiful specimens of the Gothic architecture in the East. This vault had a plan of construction about identical to that of the templar vault of Laon.
All in the west of the headland, were the harbour installations which allowed the supply of the stronghold and the unloading of the goods.
Stores and warehouses were also built around these installations.
As for the buildings reserved for the use of Templars, they were built beside the church, but have completely disappeared now.

In 1219, immediately at the end of its construction, the sultan Malek-Mohadam who had just conquered the fortified town of Cesaree, tries in vain to besiege the fortress which Arabic also name "Ateleyt".
In 1229, the Germanic Emperor Frederic II evaluating that Chateau-Perin would be perfectly suited for his own use as a fortified town on the coast, tries to take the Castle by surprise.
He enters followed by his train into the enclosure and summons the commander of the Temple to surrender the Castle without delay.
Templars, far from letting themselves intimidate by the arrogance of the emperor, lock the doors, take weapons and declare that if the emperor does not leave the place immediately, he will be imprisoned.
Frederic II fulminating with rage against The Order, complies to depart.
In 1291, after the fall of Acre, the citadel is given up by it's defenders, thus falling into Muslim hands, who dismantle it at once.

1. "Essai sur la domination française en Syrie durant le Moyen-Age"
   

   E.G. Rey ; Imprimerie Thunot & Cie Paris 1866

2. "Etude sur les monuments de l'architecture militaire des croisés en Syrie et dans l'île de Chypre"
   

   G. Rey ; Imprimerie Nationale Paris 1871