Kokhav HaYarden Travel Guide

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Don't miss to go down into the moat. There are two stairs which you can use to go down and up again. It gives a very interesting perspective as the fortress really impresses and you know why it was almost uncapturable for the troups of Salah al-Din (Saladin) who besieged Belvoir for a year and a half until 1189 when the crusaders surrendered.

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From the crusader fortress Belvoir you have great views into the surrounding landscape. No wonder that it received its name Belvoir (beautiful view). From up here you can look down into and over the Jordan Valley and all the driving up the hill is forgotten. Of course the fortress was not built because of the beautiful view, but rather in a practical and strategical position from where they could control an important bridge over the Jordan River which was the entrance to their area. For you I can only say: Enjoy the beautiful view!

This is the only remaining double arch in the ruins here, much of the massive walls used by the Crusaders were destroyed when the fortress was conquered by the Arab armies ranked against them so they could not be used again. How so much was destroyed and these delicate arches remained?? I looke for signs of restoration (usually if a building, column or arch is restored there is a black line, below the line is what was found, above the black line it the portion that was restored), and there were none.

Dating back to 1140, this Crusaders fortress has one of the most striking views (whence the original name Belvoir). There is a great view of the Jordan river valley and the sea of Galilee from the eastern part of the fortress. The fortress itself is quite impressive. You cross a little bridge, over the moat and then you can wander around the ruins, some restored to a perfect state.

The most complete Crusader fortress in Israel sits atop a basalt plateau and offers a spectacular view of the valley below and the Gilead Mountains, across the way. The fortress, when it was built, overlooked the most important crossings on the river, including Naharayim.

What can be barelly seen from the Jordan Valley road turns out to be the full scale Crusaders fortress once you climb the hill. Use your car to do 6km of the tiny road, then wander inside the walls built in XII century.

A little brochure that you get on the entrance will tell you fascinating story of the place.

Favorite thing: Take a look also at the ceiling, sometimes you find surprising details...this perfectly nice hole in the roof was very nicely CLOSED...and for what reason..there was another identical hole like this in an adjoining room left open.. Imagine yourself as a Crusader Knight, lying in this room resting before a fight with the Arab armies of Salladin, trying to figure out WHY this hole was closed.