This set of studies covers the iconic citadel of Masyaf in Syria in the form of a short guidebook, sandwiched between two comprehensive and complementary websites on the wider built heritage of Syria.
1. Monuments of Syria: A Window to Syria’s Past. Ross Burns, 2011-2026.
Developed in mid-2011 by archaeologist, author, and historian Ross Burns, this dual English and Arabic website explores monuments across Syria spanning from ancient civilisations through to the Islamic period. In addition to an alphabetised list of detailed site descriptions supported by photographs, it also features regional atlases and other cartographic data. A dedicated section on damaged sites and monuments additionally collates multiple sources of data surveying the effects of the conflict in Syria on cultural heritage sites. These are complemented across the website by the provision of a select and authoritative set of archaeological, archival, and photographic links and sources on the internet.
2. Haytham Hasan. The Citadel of Masyaf: Description, History, Site Plan and Visitor Tour. Geneva: Aga KhanA title granted by the Shah of Persia to the then Ismaili Imam in 1818 and inherited by each of his successors to the Imamate. Trust for Culture in association with the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, 2008.
This guidebook offers an overview of the medieval Citadel of Masyaf through historical context, architectural interpretation, and comprehensive site plans and was published as part of a revitalisation programme between the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums. The first part of the book quickly covers the early history of Masyaf and wider historical events and developments in Syria. This is followed by sections on the CrusadersA term applied to Christian invaders who carried out numerous campaigns to capture Jerusalem and Palestine from the Muslims in the 11th and 14th centuries CE., the Nizari IsmailisAdherents of a branch of Shi’i Islam that considers Ismail, the eldest son of the Shi’i Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (d. 765), as his successor. of the city in the 12th and 13th centuries, and the citadel’s phases of construction. Its role as a significant Ismaili stronghold in history and legendarily associated with Rashid al-Din Sinan, he of the ‘Old Man of the Mountain’ fame, is also covered here. The second and very brief part of the book visually highlights the visitor site and its facilities, which is rounded off by the third and final part, a detailed tour of the key features of the citadel. Throughout, the guidebook records the history, and restoration and preservation initiatives carried out to safeguard this valuable part of Syrian heritage.
3. Syria Photo Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to the Cultural and Historical Sites of Syria. Daniel Demeter, 2026.
This website brings together photographs compiled from an original collection of almost 30,000 photographs taken in Syria between 2006 and 2009 and serves both as a cultural archive and an educational resource. Organised across 15 regions (easily navigated via dropdown menus) and suggested itineraries, it allows visitors to explore Syria’s diverse built heritage through striking photography, historical overviews, detailed site descriptions, geo-coordinates, and even ‘getting there’ information. Highlighting important landmarks, archaeological treasures, ancient cities, mosques, castles, and traditional architecture it is a trove of knowledge and resources.
CRediTs
Sorbon Mavlonazarov (Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft); Fayaz S Alibhai (Writing – Review & Editing) for Ismaili Heritage, The Institute of Ismaili Studies © 2015-2026.
Ismaili Heritage uses the CRediT author statement.
About
Ismaili Heritage (IH) is a tripartite collaboration between IIS (London), the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (Geneva), and the Department of Jamati Institutions (Lisbon). It aims to document, protect, conserve, and celebrate the built and associated tangible heritage of the global Shia Ismaili Muslims.
