Sea Castle Sidon
Though the city of Sidon itself shows signs of occupation dating back to 4000 BCE, the Sea Castle of Sidon was not built until the 13th century CE. Crusaders constructed the castle as an island fortress on the site once occupied by a Phoenician Temple to Melqart. Though it is contentious, some archaeologists also believe that the island was the location of early Phoenician Kings’ palace.
The Castle consists of two towers, the west which was built by the crusaders and an eastern tower which whose lower levels were constructed by the crusaders and upper levels by the Mamluks. It’s outer walls feature Roman Columns spoliated as horizontal reinforcements. The roof features a domed Ottoman-era mosque. The Castle has been severely damaged by several wars, and the east tower is more poorly preserved than the west.
