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The ruins of Bagras Castle, viewed from the southeast

Bagras or Baghras is the name of a town and nearby castle in present-day Turkey, in the Amanus Mountains.

The castle, properly known as Gastun (or Gaston, Guascon, Gastim) provided a base for a force to cover the Syrian Gates, the passes between İskenderun and Antioch. It was built in two levels around a knoll, the fortification resembling Armenian work, and with water supplied by aqueducts.[1]

It was built about 1153 by the Knights Templars[1] and held by them or by the Principality of Antioch until it was forced to capitulate to Saladin on 26 August 1189. It was retaken in 1191 by the Armenians (under Leo II),[1] and their possession of it became a major point of contention between them and the Antiochenes and Templars.



Closer view of the ruins, west side

External links


  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kennedy, Hugh (2001). Crusader Castles. Cambridge University Press. pp. 142–144. ISBN 0-521-79913-9. 
  2. "Smbat Sparapet's Chronicle". Retrieved 2007-01-29. 
  3. Kurkjian, Vahan M. (1958). "The Kingdom of Cilician Armenia — Mongol Invasion". A History of Armenia. Armenian General Benevolent Union of America.*.html. Retrieved 2007-01-29. 

Coordinates: 36°23′53″N 36°13′12″E﻿ / ﻿36.39806°N 36.22°E﻿ / 36.39806; 36.22ca:Baghrasmk:Баграс

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