← Explore on the interactive map

Siege of Beirut

Type Event Region Asia Time 1197

In 1197, German crusaders and Latin forces from the Levant jointly besieged Ayyubid-held Beirut, capturing the port that year and briefly restoring L…

Timeline

  1. 1197Beirut · BeirutIn the summer and autumn of 1197, after arriving in the Levant, the German crusaders joined the garrison of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, surrounding Beirut by land and blockading the harbor to cut off the Ayyubid garrison's sea supply.
  2. 1197Beirut · BeirutThe coalition bombarded the walls with catapults and launched assaults from the sea; the Ayyubid garrison resisted stubbornly within the city, while the Latin fleet helped cut off reinforcements, and the siege lasted several weeks.
  3. 1197Beirut · BeirutIn 1197 the crusaders finally captured Beirut, and Latin forces briefly regained control of the port. This was the most notable victory of the German crusade, but with the expedition's end the city could not be held for long.

Sources