Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal'at Sinjil)
Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal'at Sinjil)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
110 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
35
Average
22
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Nora1291
Switzerland807 contributions
Jul 2023
The Citadel looks like some other forts built by the crusaders in the Middle East. The view is nice and several tanks of the Lebanese army where parked in front of the building with some soldiers around.
The entrance fee was six dollars, but nobody got a ticket. We where just let in. Strange.
The entrance fee was six dollars, but nobody got a ticket. We where just let in. Strange.
Written 12 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roula
Lebanon485 contributions
Dec 2022
Qala'at Tarablus (Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Giles) towers over Tripoli and the river. You can see the Fruit/veggies market underneath as well as all the close houses.
The Crusader Castle was originally built in 1103, burnt down in 1297, rebuilt in 1307 by the Ottomans.
You enter thru an engraved Ottoman gateway, then a Crusader's bridge. It is fairly intact, and quite large with a museum inside.
Part of the castle is occupied by the army and you see tanks parked by the entrance.
If in Tripoli it's a must see
The Crusader Castle was originally built in 1103, burnt down in 1297, rebuilt in 1307 by the Ottomans.
You enter thru an engraved Ottoman gateway, then a Crusader's bridge. It is fairly intact, and quite large with a museum inside.
Part of the castle is occupied by the army and you see tanks parked by the entrance.
If in Tripoli it's a must see
Written 27 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Halcatra
Edinburgh, UK483 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We started our visit in Tripoli here, early in the morning. It was amazing! The fortress is almost intact, it is a pleasure walking through different part of it. The citadel dominates over the city as it was built at the hill. The views are stunningly. You can see how dense the population of the city is, there is a building by building. I definitely recommend visiting the fortress.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WEWEWEA
World992 contributions
Dec 2019
After being stuck in traffic for some time we arrived just 30 minutes before closing and were allowed to enter the picturesque Citadel free of charge to have a quick look and take some beautiful pictures. Free parking along the street. Highly recommended!
Written 27 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon B
Abingdon, UK19 contributions
Dec 2019
Although the citadel was partly occupied by the military with their three tanks parked outside, there was plenty to see of the Castle with at least two towers dating back to the Crusades. The museum is well laid out with very interesting information. The views over Tripoli are superb and from the front gate the Souk is easily accessible on foot.
Written 22 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Africa Eddie
Sydney, Australia9,634 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I didn't have time to visit but driving through Tripoli to my destination the Citadel was pointed out to me. It dominates the highest point of Tripoli and goes forever.
Written 8 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bede46
Hull, MA163 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Enjoyed this trip to a mostly intact crusader fortress now in use by the Lebanese Army. The view of Tripoli from the top of the fortress is worth the mild climb and the juxtaposition of modern tanks with the fortress is a great photo op.
Written 1 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mathias S
333 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
The name of the fort comes from Raymond St Gilles (Raymond of Toulouse). St Gilles was his favourite possession in France. He participated in the first crusade, deeming himself its leader. He was proposed the rule over Jerusalem, but he refused, and he was not asked twice, which apparently made him angry, because he did wanted to rule - something. He decided to become the ruler of Tripoly and declared himself its count, although it was only his son who captured it, after his death. To besiege Tripoli, he constructed a fort next to it, since then known by his sobriquet - St Gilles.
When the mamluks captured Tripoli in 1289, they were afraid of a new crusader attack, so they razed the coastal city and rebuilt it further away from the shore, around the St Gilles fortress.
The fortress rises above the city, and is on a slope of some river, in a nice place. It has powerful walls (undoubly Mamluk ones or even later), and a small courtyard. It is very impressive, but not very beautiful. There is a nice view on the city from the walls, and some cannons there.
When the mamluks captured Tripoli in 1289, they were afraid of a new crusader attack, so they razed the coastal city and rebuilt it further away from the shore, around the St Gilles fortress.
The fortress rises above the city, and is on a slope of some river, in a nice place. It has powerful walls (undoubly Mamluk ones or even later), and a small courtyard. It is very impressive, but not very beautiful. There is a nice view on the city from the walls, and some cannons there.
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leon
Seville, Spain5 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
I visited the Saint Gilles Citadel in March 2019 and it was an amazing visit. From the top platform, you had an awesome 180ish degree vista over the city, you could see all the different districts of the city (souqs) and it was possible to walk all through the ruins of this castle.
My guide, a local Lebanese fellow, described it well: The crusaders from Europe were celebrated as heroes back home, but from the perspective of the arabic culture, they were monsters, torturing and killing helpless people. To see this huge castle on top of a city, where there are little wars every few months, leaves a huge impact on you.
The visit was amazing though, the price was 5000LBP/person, I would calculate about 25-30 minutes for the entire visit!
My guide, a local Lebanese fellow, described it well: The crusaders from Europe were celebrated as heroes back home, but from the perspective of the arabic culture, they were monsters, torturing and killing helpless people. To see this huge castle on top of a city, where there are little wars every few months, leaves a huge impact on you.
The visit was amazing though, the price was 5000LBP/person, I would calculate about 25-30 minutes for the entire visit!
Written 28 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne R
Lucerne, Switzerland192 contributions
Mar 2019
A great cultural sight - great to step back in time and just enjoy this beautiful place by waking slowly around and just see with your eyes all the details. A must see!
Written 2 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abeer A
1 contribution
Hi we would like to see all the attraction in Triopli in one day if it's possible for 2 person how much pls
Thank you
Rashad S
4 contributions
Yes, it's possible to see the citadel and the internal old Mamlouk and Ottoman souks (Markets) and Khans (old hotels), plus few ancient churches and mosques, but you won't be able to visit the islands in the sea, due to time shortage. It's recommended to visit during late spring or summer to benefit from the long day hours.
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Claim your listingCITADEL SAINT GILLES (QAL'AT SINJIL): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal'at Sinjil)
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal'at Sinjil):
- Superior Quality: Tripoli - Batroun (Full day) (From RM 420.76)
- Guided Full-Day Private Trip to Tripoli from Beirut (From RM 701.27)
- Private Tour to Tripoli from Beirut (From RM 584.39)
- Discover the fascinating history & old souks of Tripoli (From RM 275.83)
- Discover the treasure of Mamluk Heritage in Tripoli city (From RM 968.03)
- Hotels near Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal'at Sinjil):
- (0.37 km) City Hotel- Tripoli
- (0.43 km) SEED Guest House
- (0.62 km) La Maison Des Cedres
- (3.88 km) Hotel Via Mina
- (2.95 km) Le Chateau des Oliviers
- Restaurants near Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal'at Sinjil):
- (1.06 km) Abdul Rahman Hallab & Sons 1881
- (0.56 km) Akra
- (0.85 km) Al Dannoun
- (0.79 km) Tallé
- (0.76 km) Al Amina-tom sweet