Masyaf, Syria
Coordinates: 35.066000, 36.343200
Masyaf Castle is a medieval structure in the town of Masyaf in Hama Governorate, Syria, situated in the Orontes Valley, approximately 40 kilometers to the west of Hama.
The citadel became famous as the stronghold from which Rashid ad-Din Sinan, known as the Old Man of the Mountain, ruled from 1166-1193.
He was a leader of the Syrian branch of the Nizari Isma’ili sect, also known as the Assassins, and a figure in the history of the Crusades.
The castle was captured by the Assassins in 1141 from Sanqur (who had held it on behalf of the Banu Munqidh of Shaizar) and was later refortified by Rashid al-Din Sinan.
Masyaf and the surrounding town functioned as the capital of a Nizari emirate from the middle of the 12th century until the end of the 13th century.
Hz. Salahuddin Ayyubi رحمة الله عليه besieged it in May 1176 but the siege did not last long and it concluded with a truce.
Current research indicates it was held by the Nizari Isma’ilis at that time.
In 1260, the castle was surrendered to the Mongols.
Later that year in September, the Nizaris allied with the Mamluks to drive the Mongols out from Syria and reclaim the castle.
Baibars took hold of the castle in February 1270.
In 1830, an Egyptian expedition led by Ibrahim Pasha did some damage to the castle.
