The Crusader castle — 360° Virtual Tour in Byblos
Overlooking both the archaeological promontory and the Mediterranean Sea, the Crusader castle remains one of the most visible landmarks in the landscape of Byblos.
Built during the 12th century in the Crusader period, the fortress stands at the heart of a site occupied for several millennia, surrounded by Phoenician, Persian, Greek, and Roman remains that together shape the history of the city.
From the castle terrace, the entire archaeological site unfolds, revealing how different historical periods overlap throughout the landscape.
Explore the Crusader Castle in 360°
This virtual tour allows visitors to observe the archaeological site of Byblos from the terrace of the Crusader castle.
The panorama reveals the main areas of the ancient site, monumental structures, former circulation routes, and the Mediterranean coastline around which the city developed.
A fortress built among ancient remains
The Crusader castle was built during the 12th century by the Crusaders who occupied Byblos after the capture of the city in 1104.
Constructed on the heights of the ancient site, the fortress occupied a strategic position overlooking both the harbor, the land access routes, and the Mediterranean coastline.
Like several medieval constructions in the region, the castle incorporates numerous reused materials taken from earlier structures. Ancient columns, stone blocks, and architectural fragments visible within the walls reflect this reuse of older remains.
Archaeological excavations conducted in Byblos have revealed the continuous succession of human occupations on the promontory, from the earliest Neolithic settlements to the medieval periods.
From the castle terrace, this accumulation becomes particularly visible. Ancient temples, Roman structures, early fortifications, and medieval developments appear within the same space, revealing the gradual construction of the site through the centuries.
The Crusader castle therefore stands both as a medieval monument and as a privileged viewpoint for understanding the overall organization of the archaeological site of Byblos.
Photo Gallery — The Crusader Castle and panoramic view of the archaeological site
Explore the other areas of the archaeological site of Byblos and journey, step by step, through the different layers of its history. Temples, fortifications, the Roman theatre, or the Crusader castle: each panorama reveals another dimension of the archaeological site.
Walk along the line to discover a new virtual tour.