The fort of Masyaf (Syria), ultimate and unknown stronghold of the "Assassins" Historico-criminological walk in heterodox Islam

Abstract

n Syria, province of Hama, are the fort (and adjacent town) of Masyaf, in eastern piedmont of the coastal massif known as Djebel Ansariya; 40 km. west of the city of Hama, washed by the Orontes river. On his rocky outcrop, the fortress overlooks the al-Ghab valley; controlling strategic axis the Hama - Baniyas road (east-west) and the Antioch - Homs road (Emesis for Byzantines, north-south).