List of Assassin strongholds


List of the strongholds or dar al-hijra of the Order of Assassins in Persia and Syria.
Most of the Persian Ismaili castles were in the Alborz mountains, in the regions of Daylaman and Quhistan, as well as in Qumis. Most of the Syrian Ismaili castles were in Jabal Bahra'.
According to Juzjani, before the Mongol invasion the Assassins possessed 70 forts in Quhistan and 35 in Alamut. Overall, they probably had 250 castles.
The Ismaili fortresses in Rudbar of Alamut had been built on rocky heights and were equipped to withstand long sieges; they had storehouses with high capacities and elaborate water supply infrastructure such as cisterns, qanats, and canals.

Syria

The strongholds in Jabal Bahra' were known as the "Castles of the da'wa".
NameArabic name / Alternative spellingsLocationConditionImageCoordinatesNotes
Qal'at Balis قلعة بالسon the Aleppo-Baghdad roadCeded by Alp Arslan al-Akhras to Abu Tahir al-Sa'igh, commanded by Ibrahim al-Ajami. It was soon abandoned.
Baniyas قلعة بانياسBanias, Southern Syria Given by Toghtekin to Bahram al-Da'i
Masyaf Castleقلعة مصيافHamaPartially restoredThe most famous Syrian Ismaili castle.
Abu Qubaysقلعة أبو قبيسHamaPartially ruinedPurchased from Iftikhar al-Dawla, the Fatimid governor of Jerusalem.
Qalaat al-Madiqقلعة المضيق, Qal'at al-MudiqHamaResidential areaBriefly captured by Abu Tahir al-Sa'igh.
Aleika Castleقلعة العليقة, UleyqaTartus A concentric castle
Al-Qadmus Castleقلعة القدموس, Al-Qadmous; KadmusTartus RuinedPurchased from Muslim forces.
Al-Kahf Castleقلعة الكهفTartus Partially ruinedProbably the main residence of Rashid al-Din Sinan. He died in the castle in 1192. Ismailis had purchased the castle from Muslims in 1138.
Khariba Castleقلعة الخريبةTartus Captured by local Nizaris in 1136–1137 from the Franks.
Khawabi Castleقلعة الخوابيTartus Residential areaConquered by Baibars in 1273.
Rusafa Castleقلعة الرصافةHama Partially ruinedRebuilt by Sinan. Conquered by Baibars in 1271.
Qulay'ah Castleقلعة القليعةTartus
Sarmin Castleقلعة سرمينIdlib
Maniqa Castleقلعة المنيقةLatakia Dated back to the Roman era, it was also known as "Malikas" or "Malghanes" during the Crusader rule.
Shaizar Castleقلعة شيزرHama In ruinsBriefly occupied by the Assassins