Sidon’s ‘Land Castle’ was rebuilt by St. Louis IX between
1250 and 1254 atop an earlier Fatimid fortification dating from the 10th
century. The fortress sits on the southeastern
edge of the old town on a hill that overlooks the city’s bays to the north and
south. It is composed of a large keep at the edge of the hill and a defensive
structure facing the city. The construction reused large columns from the Roman
era found throughout sites of antiquity in the city and its surroundings. It was
bound to the west by the palace of Emir Fakhreddine II, and to the east by the
city’s Islamic cemetery. A plan and study to renovate the citadel was conducted
by Assurestauro, the Italian Association for Architecture, Art and Urban
Restoration in 2016. Since the fortress is in need of structural stabilizing,
and further excavation to determine the parts of it that remain underground,
its interior is mostly off-limits to visitors.
Sidon’s ‘Land Castle’ was rebuilt by St. Louis IX between
1250 and 1254 atop an earlier Fatimid fortification dating from the 10th
century. The fortress sits on the southeastern
edge of the old town on a hill that overlooks the city’s bays to the north and
south. It is composed of a large keep at the edge of the hill and a defensive
structure facing the city. The construction reused large columns from the Roman
era found throughout sites of antiquity in the city and its surroundings. It was
bound to the west by the palace of Emir Fakhreddine II, and to the east by the
city’s Islamic cemetery. A plan and study to renovate the citadel was conducted
by Assurestauro, the Italian Association for Architecture, Art and Urban
Restoration in 2016. Since the fortress is in need of structural stabilizing,
and further excavation to determine the parts of it that remain underground,
its interior is mostly off-limits to visitors.