Raqqa, January 24. (SANA)– Jaabar Castle, one of Syria’s most magnificent and symbolic fortresses, sits atop a rocky plateau overlooking the Euphrates River.
Located in al-Jazira region of northeastern Syria, on the left bank of the river, the castle lies approximately 53 kilometers west of Raqqa and about 13 kilometers from Tabqa, overlooking the artificial lake and a large part of the fertile Euphrates Valley.
Strategic Location
The castle rises on an oval limestone plateau, about 50 meters above the surrounding terrain.
From there, it overlooks Lake Euphrates, formed after the construction of the Tabqa Dam in 1974.
The fortress is protected by two defensive walls that enclose more than 35 towers, some polygonal and others semicircular. Inside are the remains of a mosque, of which only the minaret is preserved.
Origin of the name
The name of Jabbar Castle is derived from Jabbar ibn Malik al-Qushayri, a member of the Banu Qushayr tribe, who controlled it during the Seljuk era.
Later, the Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah ibn Alp Arslan captured the castle from Jabbar al-Qushayri in 379 AH (986 CE).
Description of the Castle
The castle was situated on an island in the middle of Lake Tabqa, on the banks of the Euphrates River. The site is currently open to the public and receives a large number of visitors.
The castle is approximately 320 meters long and 170 meters wide, and retains a significant portion of its original structure.
Historical and Defensive Significance
At the southern end, one of the towers has been restored and converted into an archaeological museum, displaying artifacts from the site.
Defensively, the fortress overlooks the ancient archaeological site of Siffin, enhancing its strategic value. For centuries, it served as a formidable stronghold and a major stop for caravans traveling between Raqqa and the ancient city of Bliss (Maskana).
In ancient times, both before and after Islam, the Arabs knew it as “Dasra,” in honor of its builder, Dawsar, a servant of King al-Nu’man ibn al-Mundhir.
Nawal /Mazen
