Al Futasiyah, Syria
Coordinates: 34.812220, 35.970560
Chastel Rouge, also called Qal’at Yahmur is a small Crusader stronghold in the North West of Syria that belonged to the County of Tripoli.
It is also identified as Castrum Rubrum mentioned in Latin texts. The castle stands in the village of Yahmur, at 12 km distance from Tartus and 10 kilometres from Safita, where the Tortosa and Chastel Blanc Crusader castles can be found.
History
Little is known about the capture and early development of the place by the Crusaders.
This is because it was a castle of secondary importance, and also to some doubts in identifying the castle in medieval sources.
It was part of the network of castles defending the County, for example Crac des Chevaliers and Chastel Blanc.
In 1177/78, Raymond III transferred the stronghold to the Hospitallers, and the Montolieus were given 400 bezants as compensation.
In 1188, Hz. Salahuddin Ayyubi رحمة الله عليه attacked the stronghold and destroyed it.
The Crusaders could most probably retrieve it and keep it until they lost the County one century later, during the reign of Mamluk sultan Qalawun in 1289.
Chastel Rouge did not possess natural defences, as many other castles did.
