The Flickr Belvoir Image Generatr

Belvoir Ridge

Welcome to the main gate to a magnificent crusader castle which looks down upon the River Jordan.

Standing 500 metres (1,600 ft) above the Jordan River Valley level, the plateau commanded the route from Gilead into the Kingdom of Jerusalem via a nearby river crossing.[3] To the north is the Sea of Galilee, and to the west are hills. The site of the castle dominated the surrounding area, and in the words of Abu Shama, the castle is "set admidst the stars like an eagle's nest and abode of the moon".

The Knights Hospitaller purchased the site from Velos, a French nobleman, in 1168.[3]

As soon as the Knights Hospitaller purchased the land, they began construction of castle. While Gilbert of Assailly was Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, the order gained around thirteen new castles, among which Belvoir was the most important.[7] The castle of Belvoir served as a major obstacle to the Muslim goal of invading the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem from the east. It withstood an attack by Muslim forces in 1180. During the campaign of 1182, the Battle of Belvoir Castle was fought nearby between King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Saladin.

Following Saladin's victory over the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin, Belvoir was besieged. The siege lasted a year and a half, until the defenders surrendered on 5 January 1189. An Arab governor occupied it until 1219 when the Ayyubid ruler in Damascus had it slighted. In 1241 Belvoir was ceded to the Franks, who controlled it until 1263.[8]

Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll listens to a pre briefing during a spur ride run with Soldiers from the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, April 24, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Mejia)