Qalaat al-Madiq, Hama – Syria
Coordinates: 35.410000, 36.390000
Qalaat al-Madiq is a town and medieval fortress in northwestern Syria, administratively part of the Hama Governorate, located northeast of Hama.
Qalaat al-Madiq is the site of the ancient city of Apamea, the ruins of which are located just east of the town. The modern fortress, after which the town was named, was built during Muslim rule in the 12th century. It is still inhabited by townspeople. The Syrian Armed Forces retook this town from rebels during the May 2019 Hama offensive.
In 1106 the citadel of Afamiyya (Qal’at al-Madiq), which overlooked the ancient ruins, was purchased by the Nizari Isma’ilis (also known as the Assassins) under the leadership of Abu Tahir al-Sa’igh, making it the first castle to be acquired by the group in the Levant.
The place had been mostly inhabited by Isma’ilis prior to its purchase from the Fatimid-appointed Egyptian lord who governed it. Abu Tahir was encouraged by Ridwan, the Seljuk ruler of Aleppo, to take the fortress, believing the Ismailis would be more ambitious in strengthening its defenses against the Crusaders of Antioch.
However, they were ousted a few months later by the Crusaders under the leadership of Tancred of Antioch in what was likely the first military confrontation between the Ismailis and the Crusaders.
Initially, Tancred besieged the fortress and subsequently made terms with the Ismailis in return for tribute, but later captured it in a second assault.
The Isma’ilis and Abu Tahir fled to Aleppo for refuge, but were later executed by Alp Arslan al-Akhras , Ridwan’s son and successor, on orders from the Seljuk sultan and amid public resentment of the Isma’ilis.
