- Title: SYRIA-HOMS CASTLE Restoration work begins at Homs castle
- Date: 6th August 2015
- Summary: AL-HOSON (HOMS WESTERN SUBURB), SYRIA (AUGUST 2, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CRAC DES CHEVALIERS SIGN THAT READS IN FRENCH "Les Krak des Chevaliers" VARIOUS OF THE CASTLE VARIOUS OF WORKERS CLEANING STAIRS DAMASCUS, SYRIA (AUGUST 5, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MAMOUN ABDULKARIM, HEAD OF ANTIQUITIES AND MUSEUMS, IN HIS OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MAMOUN ABDULKARIM, HEAD OF A
- Embargoed: 21st August 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA6B3535PS4XO5P0ZU3XA63I81X
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The historic Crac des Chevaliers, a castle also known as Crusader's Castle, was one of the sites damaged by the ongoing civil war in Syria.
The site was seized by rebel fighters for two years and it was the scene of intense fighting, until the Syrian army regained control of it.
Now parts of the ancient building are being restored with funds, allocated mostly by the Syrian government, according to those working on the restoration project.
Mamoun Abdulkarim, Head of Antiquities and Museums in Syria says the initial work at Crac des Chevaliers has been carried out, so that the ancient site can be reopened to welcome the public by next year.
''The surveillance phase is finished. Are there anymore erosion or cracks, so we can deal with it the best way. I think that the next step, during this year and before the summer all the initial work should be completed. I'm not saying everything, because restoration needs a lot of time. But the necessary emergency work will be done, and the doors will be open to visitors, so that tourists won't be affected by the damages. These are the international standards that we should respect,'' he said.
Crac des Chevaliers dates back to the 11th century and was built between the years of 1142-1271. According to UNESCO Crac des Chevaliers as well as the nearby Qal'at Salah El-Din are the 'best-preserved examples of the Crusader castles.'
Abdulkarim added that the state has allocated funds to carry out essential restoration work to the ancient structure.
"Until now we have not received a dollar from any international party. All budgets that were spent-- whether salaries in the government-held areas and in other places or the restoration of the monuments that were damaged, re-cleaning or rehabilitation or the emergency works, the Syrian government pays for all these works without any loss. Until now, we are relieved that our budget is available and there is a governmental insistence through the Ministry of Culture that that insists on managing the crisis of the Syrian cultural heritage,'' he said.
The historic castle in Homs may have extensive damage, but it is still standing, unlike other monuments in the country that has left syria's heritage in ruins.
Last month a representative from UNESCO said Islamic State militants are looting ancient sites across Iraq and Syria on an industrial scale and selling on treasures to middlemen to raise cash.
Some sites in Syria have been ransacked so badly they no longer have any value for historians and archaeologists.
But there is hope yet for this Crusader castle, as Naeema Mhartem, the manager of the historic site explains.
"Here, there is a great deal of damage. There was a stairs that link between the courtyard and the roundtable. The stairs vanished from their place. In order to restore of course we need time and money. The Horsemen Hall is sabotaged but the statues are still available. Two statues are still in a good situation. So we can re-build along the lines of these statues,'' she said.
Syria is a cultural treasure trove that includes six sites on the World Heritage list compiled by the United Nations' cultural arm, UNESCO. In the course of the war, four of those sites, including Palmyra and the Crac des Chevaliers, have been used for military purposes, the United Nations says.
Adherents of a puritanical school of Islam, the jihadist groups have blown up many shrines and tombs in areas of Syria under their control. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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