Appolonia

Three excavation seasons were conducted during 1998, 1999 and 2000 in the site of Appollonia, exposing the fortifications of the Crusader city located in its southeastern area, and the main features of a Crusader fortress in its north.

The excavations uncovered the southeatern corner tower, a fragment of a massive city wall extending westward from the tower, and a moat (9.5 m wide) supported by a retaining wall. The city wall and the retaining wall (preservation height at least 3.5 m) were built of local kurkar stones, which were cemented together with clay. These finds point to the expansion of the city eastward, probably by the Hospitalers in advance of a possible Mamluk invasion. Historical texts testify to the fact that the Mamluk Sultan Bibars considered this expansion a violation of their agreement, resulting in his ceasing and demolshing of the city in 1265.

The following elemnts were uncovered: (1) a moat (maximum width 30 m, 14 m deep from the top of its outer retaing wall) – in its southeastern part were exposed the foundations of the pillars which supported a wooden bridge that connected between the city and the fortress; (2) a system of outer retaining walls in which three large, semicircle towers were integrated, as well as an outer gate which was not excavated; (3) a system of walls, including an inner gate protected by a pair of semicircle towers in the east, another semicircle tower in each of its sides and an octagon tower in the west, whose ground story was vaulted; (4) an internal wall system flanked by halls on one side and by an open courtyard on the other.

Historical sources testify to the erection of the fortress in 1241, initiated by the senior of Arthur Jean II of the House of Iblin. His successor, Balian, transferred his rights of the fortress  to the Hospitalers in 1261. The latter improved the fortress’ fortification, and built an indusrial area in the northern part of its courtyard. The fortress was conquered by the Mamluks and completely demolished a short while after the destruction of the city in 1265.