10 of the most amazing castles in the Middle East and North Africa

Although the Middle East is constantly in the news, its ancient history and vast cultural heritage are often ignored in the middle of the media chaos.

With a history that dates back to the world's earliest civilizations, the Middle East has accumulated a vast array of architectural treasures over thousands of years. Some of its most beautiful gems are its many castles and fortresses. Here are 10 great examples of the Middle East's architectural heritage.

Positioned along Egypt's Mediterranean coast in Alexandria, the majestic castle was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Saif Al-Din Qait-Bay. The castle served a significant role in history, as it was one of the most important defensive fortresses on the Mediterranean coast. It was built on the exact site where the famous ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood.

Considered the largest Crusader castle in the world and one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world, Krak des Chevaliers sits on a hill near Homs in Syria. The UNESCO World Heritage site, which dates back to 1023 AD, was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during the age of the Crusades. Some say King Edward the First used the beautiful castle as an example when building his castles in Britain.

Located in the city of Bam in Iran, the massive citadel dates back to at least 500 BC. The castle, which is part of a UNSCO World Heritage Site, was an important site on the ancient Silk Road and was known for the production of silk and cotton garments. It was rebuilt after a 2003 earthquake that severely damaged it.

Kerak Castle in Jordan is one of the largest crusader castles in the Middle East. The castle, which dates back to 1140 AD, was the center of Crusader Lord Pagan's rule. Its strategic position east of the Dead Sea gave him power to control important trade routes. The castle's architecture is formed of a unique combination of European, Byzantine and Arab design.

Nestled on top of a wild green island in the coastal town of  in Tunisia, this gorgeous castle is said to have been a Christian fort during the age of the Ottoman Empire. Dating back to the 16th century, the beauty overlooks the Mediterranean and offers breathtaking views.

Just north of the city of Batroun in Lebanon, this gorgeous castle was originally a medieval fortification before it was rebuilt by Emir Fakhreddine II in the 17th century. The fort, which was built on top of a large limestone rock, was an important strategic site used to preserve security for centuries.

The famous citadel, located near Cairo's Mokattam hills, was built by Saladin in 1176 AD to protect Cairo from its enemies, including the Crusaders. The medieval fortress served as the heart of Cairo until the 19th century when Mohamed Ali Pasha built his world-famous Ottoman mosque inside the citadel, giving it the unique look it has today.

Standing guard east of the town of Al-Haffah in Syria, the castle dates back to the 10th century when it was under Byzantine control before the Crusaders captured it. The beautiful fort was uniquely built in mountainous terrain on a ridge between two deep ravines, it is also surrounded by a forest.  The site was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 along with the Krak castle.

Perched picturesquely in the Al-Batinah region of Oman, the beautiful fortification dates back to the per-Islamic era but was later rebuilt by Omani architects in the 17th century. The unique castle, which was built to fit around an irregularly shaped rock, houses a museum and is a popular tourist attraction in Oman.

Placed on a hilltop in the Mount Ajloun district in Jordan, the castle was built by the Ayyubids in the 12th century around 1184 AD and was later improved by the Mamluks in the 13th century. The Islamic fortress, which was also built to fight back incursions from the Crusaders, is now a popular tourist attraction open to the public.