Krak Des Chevaliers, Syria 1170

Curator: Looking at this image of Krak Des Chevaliers in Syria, built around 1170, I'm immediately struck by the scale. It's imposing and almost otherworldly. Editor: My first impression is how damp it looks, almost slimy. I imagine it smells like stone and old water. The rough, uneven stonework gives it such a raw feeling. I’m drawn to the way the light comes in. Curator: The construction reflects the turbulent times. Think of the Crusades, the military orders... These castles weren't just structures; they were statements of power, controlling trade routes and projecting influence. Krak Des Chevaliers represents a fusion of European and Middle Eastern military architecture and demonstrates an evolution in defensive strategies. Editor: And consider the sheer labour involved. Quarrying, transporting, fitting those massive stones—all by hand. No mortar, relying on compression forces alone. It speaks to a highly skilled, yet largely invisible workforce that literally underpinned the Crusader presence. Were those workers enslaved? Conscripted? What were their working conditions? Curator: Well, that labour underpinned an entire social hierarchy, from the military elite to the local populations who were impacted. The castle dominated the landscape but it was also an important setting for events and impacted on everyday experiences, reflecting a political theater playing out. Editor: Exactly. These weren’t just fortresses; they were social machines powered by raw materials and human effort. The fact that we are still able to access and experience it centuries later offers up so much rich information about society back then. Curator: Indeed, this single image reveals layers of history and really makes you consider the confluence of power and skill inherent in these kinds of grand construction projects. Editor: Right, I agree! It’s fascinating to examine architecture this way and think about all that has led to such solid presence in the modern world, the many workers and lives.