Crusader Castle Chastellet du Gué de Jacob

Following a victory over Sultan Saladin in November 1177, King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem began construction of the fortress at Jacob's Ford, a crucial Jordan crossing, in October 1178. The castle was intended to protect the northern border of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. By April 1179, the first construction phase was completed, and a garrison of the Knights Templar occupied the site. Saladin initially tried to halt construction with monetary offers, which Baldwin rejected. By summer 1179, the castle already featured a massive, ten-meter-high curtain wall and a tower. Saladin besieged the fortress and, after a six-day siege, managed to capture it on August 30, 1179, by undermining its walls. King Baldwin arrived too late with his relief army, and Saladin subsequently had the castle systematically destroyed.

The ruins of the Chastellet du Gué de Jacob fortress are situated in Gadot, in the northern district of Israel, at an elevation of approximately 77 meters above sea level.

The remains of the fortress, including excavated ditches and parts of the rectangular foundation wall, are now accessible as ruins and can be visited. No traces of towers were found during excavations starting in 1993.

• Ancient city of Bethsaida (Ancient structures), approx. 10.4 km away
• Ancient city of Tiberias (Ancient structures), approx. 26.5 km away
• Ancient city of Caesarea Philippi (Ancient structures), approx. 27.5 km away
• Nimrod Fortress (Fortress), approx. 28.7 km away