Crusader Castle Baghras

The fortress's origins date back to 1134 or 1137, when it came into the possession of the Templars, becoming one of their earliest acquisitions in the Holy Land. Over time, Baghras changed hands multiple times, including to the Byzantines and the Rubenid Thoros II. After a reconquest by Thoros II, the castle was returned to the Templars, who in turn pledged their support. Between 1160 and 1161, Baghras belonged to the Principality of Antioch. In 1170, Prince Mleh of Little Armenia took the fortress from the Templars, who only managed to reclaim it after his death in 1175 and used it as their northern headquarters. Saladin captured Baghras in 1188, but Fulk of Bouillon regained it for Prince Lewon II of Armenia, who resided there in 1191 and initiated extensive construction work. Following repeated interventions by Pope Innocent III, Lewon returned the castle to the Templars in 1216. Although the fortress withstood a siege in 1266, it was razed and abandoned by the Templars in 1268 after the Mamluk Sultan Baibars captured Antioch.

The Crusader Castle of Baghras is located in Ötençay, in the Hatay district, in the Akdeniz (Mediterranean) region of Turkey. It stands at an elevation of approximately 344 m above sea level.

Today, the ruins of the Crusader Castle of Baghras can be visited, offering insight into its former significance and architecture.

• Crusader Castle of Amouda (Castle), approx. 85.3 km away
• Castle Ruin of Bourzey (Castle), approx. 85.4 km away
• Citadel of Aleppo (Fortress), approx. 87.9 km away
• Temple of Baitokaike (Ancient Buildings), approx. 166.0 km away