Contrary to its French name (‘Chastellet,’ which means a small fort’), Vadum Iacob is one of the most prominent forts built by the Crusaders in the Holy Land. But shortly after completeting its foundations, the Muslim ruler Saladin conquered and destroyed it. Today, its remains testify to the dramatic events during the Crusader period.

History and Archaeology of Chastellet

Located 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, “Jacob’s Ford” (in Latin ‘Vadum Iacob’) was one of the most crucial crossing points over the Jordan River. The Hula Swamp lay north of it, and the Jordan River cascaded in rapids south of the pass. The Templars monitored this pass from Safed, but in 1178 CE, they convinced the young Crusader king, Baldwin IV, to erect a fort next to the River’s crossing point. Called ‘Chastellet,’ the fort enabled it to better protect the Crusader’s Kingdom from a Muslim attack from the east and potentially enabled a Crusader’s raid on Damascus. The Ayyubian Sultan, Saladin, offered Baldwin IV 60,000 Golden Dinars for the construction, but the Crusaders declined the offer. Saladin then raised his offer to 100,000 coins, but the Crusaders still declined.

Chastellet Conquered by Saladin

Determined to conquer and destroy the fort, Saladin summoned a large Muslim army, and on August 1179 CE, he laid siege on the site. Within six days, a Muslim mining force managed to dig a tunnel under the northeastern corner of the castle. They then filled it with wood and lit it. The conflagration caused the tunnel and the wall above it to collapse. The Muslims pillaged the fort, killing about 800 Crusaders and stuffing them into a pit. A few days later, the decaying bodies in the heat of August afflicted a plague among the Muslim soldiers. This is perhaps why the Arabic name of the Chastellet is ‘Bayt al-Ahzan’ (=The House of Grief).

Chastellet Uncovered

Archaeologists surveyed Chastellet in the 19^th century, but only in 1994, an archaeological expedition from the Hebrew University began excavating at the site. It appears that the Crusaders never completed the Chastellet’s construction. They planned it as a “castle in a castle” (like in Belvoir) but managed to complete only the outer walls before Saladin’s attack. Only 15% of the site has been excavated, yet over 1200 arrowheads and other weapons attest to the dramatic battle. The archaeologists also uncovered a few skeletons, including horses and other animals. One of the human skeletons was found with a bag of 160 silver coins on his chest.

However, the pit where some 800 Crusaders were buried is still waiting to be discovered. Despite the Muslim Chronicles’ review of Saladin demolishing the whole fort after the battle, the excavations uncovered much of its walls intact, especially along its northern end. On the other hand, an earthquake moved some of the fort’s walls about 7 feet.

Touring Chastellet

Chastellet is still being excavated and has not yet been developed for tourism, but it is accessible. It can be reached from road 91, next to its bridge over the Jordan River (‘Gesher Benot Yaakov’). A dirt road leads to the site’s base, which can be appreciated both from its top and by circling its walls. Next to the fort is a short yet beautiful trail along the western bank of the Jordan River.

A tour to Chastellet can be combined with a day tour in the north.