Qalaat Abou el-Hassan
The Qalaat Abou el-Hassan citadel ( Arabic قلعة أبو الحسن, Citadel of Abou el-Hassan, Abou el-Hassan el-Salibi ), whose fortifications date from the 12th century, is one of the best preserved fortresses in the Chouf region . It is located near the village of Joun ( Arabic جون) at an altitude of 168 m above sea level . It seals off the valley of the Nahr al-Awali .
Today's buildings date from the Mamluks (12th century). In a rather limited space there is a large square tower whose vaulted rooms with loopholes are still very well preserved. In the northern area of the fortress there are also some crumbled and overgrown remains of buildings. Excavations in 2005 brought some pottery shards from Roman times to light. The fortress has always guarded the road between Sidon and Jezzine , which runs close by.