THE HOSPITAL FORTRESS

The Hospitaller Order, located in Jerusalem during the First Crusade (1099-1187), transferred its headquarters to St. John of Acre during the Second Crusade (1191-1291). The Hospitallers, initially devoted to welcoming and caring for pilgrims to the Holy Land, were in charge of running hospitals in Jerusalem and Acre. They built an important site there comprising vast underground rooms and numerous rooms spread over four wings around a central courtyard. This headquarters was built from 1149 (the date of the first writings concerning the establishment of a cathedral) and destroyed in 1291 by the Mamelukes. When Ahmed al-Jazzar, the Ottoman governor of St. John of Acre, decided to build a citadel and palace there, he had the ruins of the Hospitaller buildings filled in with earth. Part of the building served as a palace for the pasha, and another as a prison where criminals and political opponents were locked up. Much later, during the English Mandate, this part of the palace continued to be used as a prison. The visit includes images and animations projected on the walls and floor, lighting and display cases highlighting the exhibits and explanatory panels (in Hebrew and English). However, it is advisable to rent an audioguide. It should also be noted that almost the entire route has been made accessible to wheelchairs. Here are some of the most remarkable rooms:

The main courtyard. It is an open courtyard with an area of 1,200 m² in which there are two wells. It is surrounded by a series of arches supporting the stairs and a corridor leading to the bedrooms on the second floor.

The Hall of Columns. This is the most impressive part of the complex. The 10-metre high hall is composed of a system of eight cross vaults with ribbed vaults rising to a height of 10 metres and supported by three round stone pillars with a diameter of 3 metres. It was used as a dining room by the Hospitallers.

The sugar amphora room. The many utensils discovered in this room are a reminder that sugar production was one of the main activities of the Crusaders, and one of their most important sources of income.

The northwest tower and the sewer system. Used as a toilet wing, the sewage disposal system is one of the most beautiful examples discovered to date.