"Saladdin Castle"

History

The castle was built in ancient times, possibly during the Phoenician period (early first millennium BC). The Phoenicians are said to have surrendered it to Alexander the Great about 334 BC. Not much is known about what happened to it between this period and the return of the Byzantines in the 10th century AD. Emperor John I Tzimisces gained control of the place from the Aleppan Hamdanid dynasty, and built the first of its defensive structures. It then fell in the hands of the Crusaders at around the beginning of the 12th century. It is mentioned that in 1119 it was owned by Robert of Saone who was given control of it by Roger, Prince of Antioch. Most of what is evident today was built at this time. The fortress was notable as being one of the few which were not entrusted to the major military orders of the Hospitaller and the Templars.

The Crusader walls were breached by the armies of Muslim leader Salah ed-Din in July 1188, and it is from this victory that the castle takes its present name.[1]

From 1188 to 1272 the castle was controlled by the local family of Nasr al-Din Manguwiris, who ceded it to Egyptian sultan Baybars in 1273. From 1280 it was under Sonqor al-Ashqar, but was captured back by the Egyptians in 1287 by Qalaun.aone or Sahyoun or Saladin’s castle. This is perhaps the most stunningly located of all the castles in Syria and there are many contenders for the prize. Set on a spur between two ravines in the Jebel Ansariye, it is reached by a narrow, switchback road surrounded by sheer pine-clad drops on all sides. Built up by the Byzantines in the 10th century, it ended up in the hands of the French knight Robert of Saone (hence its name) but was taken by Saladin in 1188 hence another of it’s names. Sahyoun is merely the Arabic pronunciation of Saone.

HUTTEEN CLUB (LATAKIA)

Hutteen Sports Club (Arabic: حطين‎) is a Syrian football club based in Latakia,

Syria. The club was founded in 1945.

-Achievements

- Syrian Cup: 1
Champion : 2001

Performance in AFC competitions

Asian Cup Winners Cup: 1 appearance

2000/01: Second Round

"Summertime on the Axis of Evil"

The largest area resort on the Mediterranean has 600 meters of private sandy beach; a perfect place for swimming. Indoor and outdoor restaurant, lobby bar, snack bar on the beach, BBQ evenings at the residence.
Additional Features: All rooms equipped with kitchenettes. Full service supermarket, shopping gallery. Tennis courts, mini-golf, swimming pool, water sports."http://www.chamhotels.com/azur_lattakia.html"

Latakia

Latakia Arabic: 'al-lādhiqīya

City in Syria with about 420,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate), situated on the Mediterranean Sea. The city is the capial of the Latakia Governorate.Latakia is situated on the Ras Ziyarah promontory and has an excellent harbour, and is the most important port of Syria.Latakia has its name from Laodicea, the mother of the Greek ruler Seleuces 2 (3rd century BCE).Latakia is the trading centre or the northwestern agricultural region. In this region, tobacco, cotton and fruit are grown, and much of it is exported through Latakia. Local industries are cotton grinning, vegetable oil processing, tanning, fishing and sponge fishing. Exports from other parts of Syria include bitumen and asphalt, cereals and foodstuffs.Latakia is an important holiday resort for Syrians. The city has a university, the University of Latakia.The city has suffered from numerous earthquakes through its history, and this is one of the main reasons why there now are very few monuments left in town: Only one section of Corinthian columns and a Roman victory arch.
History2nd millenium BCE: Latakia, known as Ramitha, is part of the Ugarit kingdom, whose capital is 10 km north.3rd century BCE: Grows into becoming an important port and city of Syria under Seleucid rule. This is also the time when the city gets its name.638: Latakia is conquered by the Arabs.1103: Captured by the crusaders.1188: Captured by Saladin.1287: A heavy earthquake destroys the city, and Emir of Sahyoun takes control over it.1920: Comes under French rule as part of the French mandate of Syria and Lebanon.1942: Latakia is incorporated into Syria.1971: Tishreen University is established. It is renamed to University of Latakia in 1977 (lexicorient.com/e.o/latakia.htm - 23k - Cached - )