Cafarlet Fortress, HaBonim, Israel

Cafarlet or Capharleth (Crusader name) or Kafr Lam (Arabic name) is an Early Muslim coastal fortress of the Roman castrum type. Today it is located inside Moshav HaBonim, Israel, on lands of the now abandoned Arab village of Kafr Lam. It was built in the 8th or 9th century, during the Umayyad or Abbasid period to serve as a ribat against Byzantine attacks, and was significantly modified and reused by the Crusaders. It is one of the few surviving ancient fortifications in Israel featuring round watchtowers, indicating the fortress' origins predate the crusader era. Most surviving ancient fortifications in the region feature rectangular watchtowers, typical of the style prevalent in Europe during the time of the crusaders.

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User Reviews

Helle Damgaard Andersen (2 years ago)
Would probably have been interesting if it had bern possible to get near it. But it is totaly overgrown. We don’t the people living in the village clean it up and make it a tourist attraction?

Edu Coen (3 years ago)
Unfortunately it's abandoned. Need restoration. Information center and more.

arkadyhodos (3 years ago)
Rare gem of early muslim fortification. Dated 7th or 8th century Ummayad fortress overlooking beautiful hilltop, this incredible place is mostly neglected.

Yuri Feldman (4 years ago)
Of all the abandoned "wild" castles, this one is best preserved.

Андрей (7 years ago)
Abandoned fortress in the kibbutz, well preserved but not safe to visit

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