Original subtitles

For thousands of years in the Holy Land and blood flowed in the Middle East.

Here are the scars of the battle between the three great world religions

carved into the ground. However, war made the deepest wounds

between Christians and Muslims which began at the end of the 11th century

and was led for two hundred years.

A stake is a small piece of land owed several hundred kilometers,

but with the greatest award - Jerusalem.

This holy war has passed into legend,

but there were also those who saw it with their own eyes.

Great chroniclers from two different holy, Christian and Muslim,

they wrote about the big ones exploits, battles and warriors,

about people who passed life for your Lord.

It was a collision of two great faiths - conflict between the crescent and the cross.

These were the Crusades.

In 1096, with great fanfare, more than 60,000 Christian warriors

it was printed from Europe in the First Crusade.

Their goal was Jerusalem.

It has been a holy city for more than 400 years was under Muslim control.

The Crusaders swore they would reclaim it in the name of Christ

For the Christians, Jerusalem was so much significant because Jesus is here

died on the cross and rose again from of the dead. So, the most important moment

in the history of salvation it happened here.

Therefore Jerusalem is for Christian center of the world.

The Christian army was breaking through along a 4500 km long road through the back roads

regions of the Middle East in a row epic districts with the forces of Islam.

After three years this First Crusader the war reached the walls of Jerusalem.

Get inside, they spared no one.

It is estimated that there are thirty thousands of people slaughtered

when Jerusalem fell - Muslims, Jews, even Christians.

But while the crusaders were enjoying win slowly but surely

the Muslims were getting ready to strike back.

In the end, Islamic anger rose to the young Christian kingdom,

headed by one leader - Saladin

and with one battle cry - jihad.

The Crusades: The Crescent and the Cross Second Crusade

When Jerusalem was taken during the First Crusade,

the killings were terrible. Jews who gathered

in Solomon's temple they were burned, promises made to Muslims

to their wives and children be allowed to go outside,

they are trampled with impunity.

In the eyes of Muslims, the two biggest the shrines were desecrated.

Crusaders tied their horses to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock

where Muhammad supposedly ascended to heaven.

They tore up Islamic symbols to consecrated the church on the site of the mosque.

In the heart of Jerusalem, new a shining crucifix flaunted itself

in front of the Muslims they show�i that the city is now Christian.

They were stunned and shocked violence, brutality and murder

which were inflicted on them. What they was scared even more

What was done in the name of Christianity.

Two hundred kilometers on northeast, in the city of Damascus,

thousands of Muslims collected in the Umayyad mosque

to mourn the loss of Jerusalem.

Imagine the scene here when news came from Jerusalem

to the people of Damascus that the city busy. Not just busy,

but that they are also Muslims and Christians and Syrians of that time

killed in thousands. Every inch was full of people and soldiers who

took off their turbans, sobbed, cried and discussed what would happen next.

it is easy for the will of the people to stand up against the Christian invaders

was strong, in 1099 the Muslim world was unable

to launch a counterattack. The most famous the Islamic chronicler of that era,

To Ibn al-Athir, the reason was clear

- their leaders were are hopelessly divided.

While the Christians were conquering and inhabited our lands,

rulers and armies of Islam they fought among themselves.

This caused a great deal of discord and disunity among people

and weakened their strength to fight against the Christian enemy.

Islamic culture was easy magnificent and great progress

was achieved in natural science and mathematics,

Islamic political institutions are not managed to create a stable society.

Strong local rulers were born

and what we would describe as city-states.

Ever since Muhammad's death, the Islamic world was divided

on two conflicting doctrines - Sunni in Baghdad and Aleppo and Shiite,

who was in power in Cairo.

In order to defeat the Christians, he was they need one leader

which would unite the force Muslims under the banner of war.

That was the greatest fear of the Crusaders - a major Muslim counterattack.

Viljem Tirski was a scientist and Christian archbishop whose chronicles

became the most important source for life crusader. As a zealous Christian,

he recalled how Muslims, that is, the Saracens as he called them,

started a guerilla fight against the young Kingdom of Jerusalem.

They inhabited the entire area around the city are infidel Saracens

who were cruel enemies of our people.

even within cities wall, there was hardly any room

where one could rest safely.

They are in the kingdom spread such a state of fear

that no one dared to go outside the fortress.

To survive in this hostile environment, Christians

who remained after the First of the crusade they had to provide

his control over the new kingdom.

After the capture of Jerusalem, many crusaders returned home.

Only 200 to 300 knights remained.

Jerusalem had to look like an empty place.

I mean, physically he is a really big city.

What the Crusaders had to do they had to try and rely on it

to strengthen it and bring more people - that was the key thing.

The Roman Catholic Church called European families to come

and settled in Jerusalem. Homes Muslims, Eastern Christians

and Jews were confiscated for new arrivals.

It went all over Western Europe propagate this idea.

Almost like when the Americans was for example spoken

...Go west," and so it is this was... Go east young man. "

You would get good property, tax relief

and you already have the impression of an adventure. The second one the thing of course is that you would live

in Christ's fatherland and that is also an additional incentive.

All faithful to Christ were inclined to go to the place where Jesus lived,

his mother Mary and the apostles. Also,

according to Christianity has Jewish roots,

to the place where they lived Old Testament prophets.

As a consequence of the First Crusade war, Jerusalem flourished

into an advanced spiritual metropolis with about thirty thousand inhabitants.

That was about the size of medieval Paris.

After the First Crusade we have a series of pegs driven in

in �tof the Holy Land - that were Crusader strongholds.

They had to be connected, to unite the cities they conquered

and to consolidate the territory.

The Europeans made new farms, villages and castles

around the conquered cities. They created Four new powerful crusader states

- Edessa, Antioch, Tripoli and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Now that the holy city has become Christian, pilgrims from Europe

rushed to Jerusalem.

Every year thousands of them collected, decided to walk

in the footsteps of Christ and jump out respect for holy places.

Like today's tourists, they were they need instructions about food, drink,

overnight stays, health care. They also needed a guide.

The main attraction in this one she was a tourist guide in the 12th century

Church of the Holy Sepulchre. She was crucified raised again to store in it

main relics under one roof.

It was a spiritual tourist complex for thousands of religious visitors.

The guide also contained the necessary destination for each traveler

souvenir shop.

Hello, I would like to buy some souvenirs.

Yes, come on, what do you want?

I am most interested in holy water. Can you tell me more about that?

Yes, we have holy water, holy oil, holy incense, holy earth.

Where does water come from? From the Jordan River.

Of course.

She was blessed in the church Holy Sepulchre. All right.

Do you want something else? Rosary beads, holy oil, holy earth

to go with holy water? I don't think so. That's enough.

Holy water is what it is What did I really come for?

All right. Good. Thank you. Thank you too. Thank you sir.

On the streets of Jerusalem, pilgrims were found next to the souvenirs

and the exotic cuisine of the Middle East.

Pilgrims had to eat, a this is the famous street of log cooking.

Medieval fast food. Now, it is very possible that you will get sick

and that you will need help. Let's look in the water to see

What does it say about it:

It is next to the Holy Sepulchre the hospital where it is located

a large number of patients. Total their number is at the time I am

was there was 2000. Between day and night

something over 50 drugs were brought out, but new people were constantly admitted.

After capturing the city, the crusaders took over St. John's Hospital.

Here it would be about Christian pilgrims who would get sick and worry

people who have vowed to austerity, poverty and submission.

Known as Hospitallers, ie. They soon took over the Jovanovci

military role to ensure safe passage for thousands of pilgrims

from and to the Holy Land.

There are gangs of bandits a long way that are waiting to pounce on you.

There were so many that there was one a pilgrim at the beginning of the 12th century

wrote in the report about his trip that the road is from Jaffa to Jerusalem

was scattered with bones dead pilgrims and yes,

if you are with pilgrims, a one of your friends was killed,

don't stop to bury him, because he will the grave you dug becomes yours.

To offer even more protection for pilgrims,

another holy order was founded.

The unifying monastic way life and bearing arms,

this brotherhood believed that the fight is against the unbelievers

simultaneously �in mercy and the way of salvation.

They became known as Knights Templar, i.e. Templers,

taking the name according to the seat on the ancient location of Solomon's temple.

Both military ranks were soon in favor Muslims became the most feared

and the most shameful signs Crusader occupation.

Both rows have become very as powerful as monastic orders

and as a political force in the Crusader states.

They were able to achieve that because they are both Hospitallers and Templars

developed military strength. They are became the elite of combat troops

of the Crusader states and they were necessary for the survival of this order.

To support the defense of their new kingdoms, Templars and Hospitallers

have overseen the construction of the chain of the castle. He was the most magnificent

Krak de chevalier in Syria. Real symbols of power are castles

announced to Muslims that Christians intend to stay here.

Muslims, however, dreamed about striking back at the crusaders

and the return of Jerusalem under the cover of his faith.

The old Arabic word is spoken again.

The word for struggle - d�ihad!

At the beginning of the 12th century, people from of the Islamic world began to speak

about rising under the banner of jihad against the Crusader occupation.

Jihad is a key element in arsenal of Islamic ideology.

The concept of jihad dates back to time prophet Muhammad and the 7th century,

so he is an integral part of the Islamic faith. He is not something

Which is invented as the opposite crusade. He is already there

and it was taken off the shelf in order to was used against the crusaders.

Tur�in Imad al Din Zengi was the ruler of Mosul in present-day Iraq.

Intelligent and ruthless, he is intended to expand his empire.

He became the first leader to initiate successful jihad against the despised

Christian attackers. It is to him the most important thing was to defeat them and expel them

from the Muslim interior. Yes to do that, he had to unite

Syria under his leadership.

The mighty citadel of Aleppo is one of the oldest established

Islamic cities in the world. Knights of the First Crusade

they never dared to attack him.

Like the largest part of the Muslim of the world at that time, Aleppo was

an independent city-state with its ruler.

Zengi looked at this claim as if on its new foothold,

a springboard for crushing crosses. With its growing military power,

he offered to protect Aleppo from Christian. The agreement was reached

1128 and Zengi is took control of the city.

With Mosul and Aleppo, he is now ruled northern Syria.

Before he came to government, we had no one

who would impose justice, and the presence Christianity in our country is from her

made a wasteland�. He is made her bloom again.

Zengi needed it over twenty years of bitter struggle

with other Muslims yes finally unite northern Syria.

His personal secretary described him like a lion, like some kind

ferocious wild cats. I think they are the words he used to describe him

were... accidents raging"... Zengi belonged to that lucky minority

of the human race that enjoyed that inflicts pain on other human beings.

His army alone is him, they say, followed with fear,

because if he told them not to trample the crops during the march and someone would do it,

he would have him hanged.

By 1144, Zengi was finally ready

to attack Christians brutally. 180 km from his base in Aleppo

there was one of of the Crusader States, Edessa.

Zengi just found out that he

presented an excellent opportunity to conquer the city.

Zengi always followed Edessa, he was looking for an opportunity to achieve

his desire and occupy it. what is it Heard that the Count of Edessa was out of town,

It seemed to him that it was a sign from God to go.

Almost half a century later the founding of the Crusader states,

the Muslims were finally ready to make the first counterattack.

Zengi besieged the city with with an army of 30,000 men.

A few crusading knights who remained to protect Edessa

they were surprised and retreated are inside the city walls.

For the Muslims, this was a long time expected show of strength.

The great Arab chronicler Ibn al Atir enjoyed it:

They were hitting the walls incessantly. It didn't interrupt anything

their relentless struggle. His soldiers were numerous

like the stars in the sky. Fields they were full of them around the city.

They say that even the birds are not dared to fly close,

how complete was the destruction which they applied and how much

on alert was their vigilance.

The fortifications were so strong that the only way is to enter

inside Edessa was to collapse its walls. Zengi brought

experienced miners who are knew exactly how to attack

foundations of city fortifications.

Climbing over the walls is difficult, simply because they will shoot you,

but it existed under the city natural cave system.

His men fell into the caves and began to serve their foundations.

Christian settlers in They desperately tried to reach the city

to occupy the Muslim tunnels. However, they had poor chances against

Zengi's great armies. His squads set fire to wooden beams

which supported the excavations. as soon as they fled from there,

the walls above them collapsed.

Excavation of tunnels proved very useful

and Zengi's forces are soon broke into the city.

Hrle� through the passage in the walls, Muslims entered the city

and the carnage began of Christian teachers.

Thousands of men, Women and children were killed.

William of Tire noted the ears of the fleeing Christians

to the safety of the citadel, towers in the heart of the city.

More cautious citizens fled to the citadel so that they could save it

at least live, even if for a short time time. There were so many at the gate

many people who tried to they know that they are due to the pressure of the crowd

many suffocated and died unhappily.

Edessa was now again in Muslim hands,

and Zengi became a hero of Islam of the world. The first stage of jihad,

the fight against Christianity empire, was won.

The capture of Edessa was important step in the capture of Jerusalem

because it created the feeling that we can do it.

it was easy for Zengi to lead your men to victory,

they still paid him more but that they admired him.

His cruelty she brought him to ruin.

Zengi told one of the slaves that he will be killed the next morning

because of what he did to him some minor insult.

Slave, they think his life is already over,

he said to lead Zengija with him the same night.

While the mighty Zengi was dozing in the midst of his proud army,

surrounded by his followers with swords, he died.

No wealth, no power they were of no use to him.

Two years after the conquest of Edessa, Zengi is 59 years old

killed in his bed. Hopes of Islam the world could die with him.

However, there was someone else ready to face the challenge

- his own son Nur al-Din. He showed himself

as completely different leader from his father.

Nur al Din was the son of the cruel Turkish war leader Zengi.

He was ready to continue his father's battle.

He set out to unify Islamic world and reclaim Jerusalem for Islam.

Nur al Din was very pious man. You know, he didn't like the game very much,

he did not like the way of life of the caliph from Baghdad in all its splendor,

glory, toys and wine. He said it was one of the reasons

why we suffered defeats was that we have become as people

too lenient. He was very respected, because it never is

abused his authority and power.

Hri��ani are in the arrival of the new one the leaders saw a serious threat

Crusader kingdoms. His the message was simple and direct

..."Unity and jihad!"

Nur al Din's point of view it was very clear.

Our lands were occupied by barbarians and we must set them free.

The only way to free them it was that as they led

holy war against us, so are we let's wage a holy war against them.

There is news in Europe about the fall of Edessa they came to the pope. On December 1, 1145.

Pope Eugene III felt himself obliged to take drastic measures.

He called for the Second Crusade.

The Second Crusade was an extremely ambitious undertaking.

There were intentions that the borders Christianity is spreading in all directions.

Christians were into it time very confident in themselves.

They looked at this as repeating the First Crusade.

Many sermons emphasized is the idea that new crosses should

to rise to the work of their fathers.

He answered the call to arms one of the most powerful people in Europe

- French King Louis Vll and his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

They led the first crusade nobles and counts, and now it is

king of France Louis Vll took the cross.

This was a rather radical move.

The idea of ​​the king leaving his own country for two or three years,

with the possibility of dying from about one in three,

it is a very dangerous thing.

King Louis was deeply religious and determined to respect the achievements

of the first crusaders like that That would free Edessa

and then expanded Christian kingdoms.

He was, however, a man with little military experience

and he was not a born leader.

In May 1147, he set out on Second Crusade

leading an army of over 30,000 men.

The core of his fighting force was made 300 Knights Templar.

Louis's crusading army it took almost five months

to span Europe, from of France to Asia Minor.

The road led them through this one rugged landscape of central Turkey,

during this still preserved Roman road.

Logistical problems of the Second Crusade war were very frightening,

because they decided to go deeper inland, over the mountains

of southeastern Anatolia, over this kind of terrain, in winter.

It is a very bad age years for movements.

There is very little food in the villages. We know they are almost entirely

depended on what they could to take. Many of the roads

they went through the high mountains like these in the background,

with narrow plateaus with which animals fell,

while people are desperate tried to keep the food.

Logistical problems were not the only challenge

which the crusaders faced. The road led them through Turkish lands

where they were in constant fear of attacks by local Muslim forces.

You must keep in mind that, even though this is mountainous terrain,

there is a lot of open space. Up here were the Turks,

ready to jump on any sign of weakness.

The strength of the army lay in her compact, compact, formation.

Winter has already arrived. Cruel weather led to this

to cross the column a race along the path of advancement.

Heavily armed vanguard became cut off from the main body,

and slow freight cars on I'm going with Luje and Alienor

they were left behind and exposed. That's it was the opportunity that the Turks were waiting for.

Christian historian Viljem Tirski interpreted

what followed as God's punishment.

In the order of battle, they stood are on our strength.

The fight was fought nearby, swords and brought it to the Christians

death and destruction. As punishment for find sins, the unbeliever has won.

Our army has shrunk on a few people.

That day, a glorious reputation The franc was lost.

Louis and Eleanor ran away, but thousands of crusaders were killed.

To throw up discipline, humiliated Luj

handed over command March to the Templars.

The crusading army was crushed dragged to her refuge Antioch,

of the city captured in the First Crusade war. Here he is, facing the power

reduced to 20,000 people, in contrast Nur al Din's growing power,

Louis left the war for revenge Edessa in the north and instead

turned south towards Damascus, a city much closer to Jerusalem.

Nur al Din also had plans

with this independent a Muslim city.

The question was who will take it first?

Louis made the first move in 1148.

The attack on Damascus can look like a preemptive strike

against Nur al Din. He ruled Aleppo, and if he would still take it

Damascus in the south, that would be it the first time that a Muslim ruled

in both of these key cities. Whole the eastern wing of the Crusader states

one man would rule, with growing power and wealth

and would be a very big threat.

it is easy in the past Damascus was an ally of the crusaders,

it has recently become hostile.

The citizens of Damascus were terrified because nobody came before

so close to the city walls. They are just like any other people

tried to defend their own homes, their families,

their dwellings and their property.

The citizens of Damascus could they invite the ruler of Aleppo, Nur al Din

to save them, but that would mean renunciation of independence.

They were determined to defend the city alone.

They really defended Islam vs the Crusaders,

against the army of the Franks. Really were looking to die and go to heaven,

in accordance with their beliefs.

If there was a man who was the embodiment of the spirit of defiance,

he was 71 years old lawyer Al Findalavi.

His story became is part of the folklore of Damascus.

He tells it even today they talk in the city's pubs.

Crusaders are evil in their hearts believed they could take Damascus.

50,000 infantry and cavalry it went to town

and the Muslims challenged them to a fight.

In the parking lot the battle began at the walls.

Al Findalavi continued to he fought bravely and refused to back down

obeying the almighty Lord.

Alas, he was killed in battle as a martyr for the faith.

The battle raged for days in orchards around the city.

Thousands of Muslims defenders were killed.

Proud of yours independence, citizens of Damascus

had little choice now. Sent sent a message to Nur al Din begging him

to send his army. They are was the news that Nur al Din was waiting for.

Luj was faced with the key by choice: whether to stay and fight

against a strengthened enemy or to withdraw?

If they were to withdraw from Damascus they would feel embarrassed.

If they stay to fight they could suffer defeat.

What they did it was the worst possible.

They moved the siege from from one side of the city to the other

and then decided to in any case pull.

It was military incompetence.

Luj returned home to Europe embarrassed and defeated.

After so many hopes, expenses and his Second Crusade suffers

ended unhappily. Not only that he turned his back on Christianity

To the Kingdom of Jerusalem, ve� also strengthened the speech of the Muslims.

For Christians, the consequences were devastating.

They abandoned the siege and returned is coming home. As a consequence,

fewer people were undertaking pilgrimage after that.

From that day for the Latins on in the east the conditions became worse.

When is the Second Crusade failed, the Muslim world lived

great relief. Their God is them blessed with this divine victory.

In addition, they were very confident. I mean, the last time

when the crusaders came in large numbers number in the First Crusade,

they defeated the Muslims. Kings have now come from Western Europe

and they failed. That's what it meant that Westerners are not invincible.

Muslims were able to succeed and maybe in the end they drive out the crusaders.

The failure of the Second Crusade is was exactly what Nur al Dinu is

he should have received Damascus. Through intimidation and promises

he sought to win them over for myself. He preached

that only the unique can have strength to overpower all the crusader states.

The children of Damascus are finally submitted

his unrelenting efforts.

April 1154, they invited him to enter the city.

People rejoiced in the hope of better times. Rich and poor,

peasants and artisans begged are for the emir's long life

and his victory over the Christians.

They threw rice, bouquets, flowers, they shouted loudly, greeting him

and praised his courage. They were really very happy.

Nur al Din was the first who tried to provide the Arabs

the feeling that we are unique people and that if we unite,

then we really can.

For the first time, two rich and the powerful city of Muslim Syria

they were united under the same a ruler, under a centered man

on jihad whose goal was to one day the crusaders are driven out.

The entire east wing crusader kingdoms

it was now under Nur al Din

control. He was tightening the rope now started the last phase of his

big plan - encirclement hri��ana completely as it would

took over the rich and the powerful country in the south, Egypt.

By 1160 the aim of the Muslims, now united under Nur al Din,

was to surround the crusader the kingdom. He already ruled Syria,

and now he wanted to took over power in Egypt

and his independent capital Cairo.

Cairo was like beautiful brides with impotent husbands

which is waiting for someone to take it. He was completely necessary

in Nur al Din's eyes, if there was any chance

to defeat the crusaders. Also Nur al-Din was very worried that,

unless we take it, do it the crusaders.

The Crusaders went for Cairo. Egypt was rich

and a strategically important country. At the beginning of the sixties of the 12th century

he was lying on the tray. Egypt wanted to remain independent.

He was a stronghold of the Shiite branch of Islam and was equally determined

to resist Nur al Din's Sunnis Muslims as well as Christians.

However, in 1168, the Crusaders have made a tragic mistake

and gave Nur al Din a great advantage.

The crusaders acted brutally massacre of Shia Muslims

in an Egyptian city near Cairo.

If the crusaders had done things differently, they would take Cairo with great ease,

because the city champions were ready to surrender. But when they heard

for the slaughter of the crusaders committed, they decided to resist.

The Egyptians had no other choice until they turn to Nur al Din for help.

Nur al Din was very willing to help.

He sent his most talented and the most ambitious young general

to help the Egyptians defend Cairo. His name was Saladin.

For the Muslim world, Saladin is a legend.

His heroic reputation has carefully designed

his close friend and trustee, Baha al Din.

Baha al Din was great A fan of Saladin.

I bear testimony of truth the story of the noble hero Saladin.

It's like it's medieval master of public relations,

he gave glory to the great by the deeds of his master.

You could swear it was from the time it began,

not a single silver coin was spent to nothing but jihad.

Saladin shared the ambition of his master Nur al Din to control

Syria and Egypt, as well as to expel cross. But under his leadership,

it meant conflict with Nur al Din himself.

His first step is was to take over Egypt

from its Shiite rulers, by all available means.

The fact that there are some people who were on Saladin's path to power

died at an opportune moment she stated is for others to think over time

that Saladin had something with those deaths.

This is impossible to prove. They are people died in a disturbing manner.

By the end of 1169, all his the rivals were conveniently flanked.

Saladin became the undisputed ruler of Egypt - and control as much

territories as much as his mentor Nur al Din.

Nur al Din was calling Saladin to the ambitious.

Certainly, Nur al-Din wanted to punish Saladin for his... treachery.

Five years later, before but what he managed to tame

his young lieutenant, Nur al Din died

under unclear circumstances.

He was 57 years old.

Saladin rushed from Cairo to Nur al Dino's fortified stronghold of Aleppo,

but the heir was already announced.

Son of Nur al Din, Al Salih, was the new ruler of Syria.

He was only 12 years old.

However, although very young, he was not an easy opponent

He refused to let Saladin into the city

and forced his army to encamped in front of the gates of Aleppo.

The young leader then undertook his own the bravest step. He searched

services of a religious group a murderous fanatic to remove his own

opponent. Their name remained recorded in history - Assassins.

The name Assassin comes from the word ha�i�i, and ha�i� is, we all know, marijuana.

The story says that the only way is to they make them go and kill someone

was to drug them beyond measure.

Assassins followed Saladin all the way to his �ator

in front of the city walls.

They passed his guard, killing one of them.

Saladin was lucky to escape only with a superficial wound.

Killing Saladin would be a huge blow to the whole thing.

When the Assassin entered his �ator must have caused it

complete panic - you can is just imagine.

It was a year ago but when Saladin returned,

determined to conquer Aleppo.

This time he took no chances. His own he filled the chambers with guards

and even spread the dust from chalk and ash around the camp

to reveal the clues.

However, despite the security, The assassins struck again

in an unusual and disturbing way.

They left it on the pillow a gift, some cakes,

and with them they threaten the message warning Saladin to retreat

or they will kill him next time.

Saladin again fled from Aleppo.

Seven years passed before that Saladin's luck changed.

In 1181, his rival Al Salih, now aged 19,

has died. Like his father and grandfather before him, there was another victim

who died under unexplained circumstances.

It's not hard for me to believe that Saladin was ruthless.

What's the problem? I think so in order to survive in this world

he had to be like that. Do was he responsible for the murder

Nur al Din's son is not known.

Syria and Egypt are now belonged to Saladin.

Eighty years of Muslim disunity was over.

He now surrounded the Crusader states. He threatened to push them into oblivion.

I think we can see, as for the crusade,

true increase in temperature, increasing the level of threat and awareness

that things are going inexorably towards a serious conflict.

After he defeated and forced

Muslim countries into an alliance, Saladin is now

tried to deliver a knockout blow Christians in the Holy Land.

By 1183, Saladin was finally was ready to attack the Christians

and lay claim to Jerusalem.

For crusaders, ambitions are the greatest Muslim leaders of that century were

like a coming storm that is on in the end it had to be squeezed.

Every strengthening of Saladin's power was is a reason for doubt in our eyes.

He was a wise man in council and brave in war.

That's why we had many reasons to fear that Saladin,

when he doubled his empire, move against our kingdom

with greater force and disturb us more violently than ever.

While the Muslims achieved a new unity, Christians are in Jerusalem

were weaker than ever. Them led by Baldwin IV,

the king who is from the wound in his youth he was crippled by an illness.

One day he was playing like that children playing usually do

they started stabbing each other hands. Other boys showed pain,

and Baldwin felt nothing. As he approached adulthood,

it became obvious that he was suffering from a foreign disease - leprosy.

It's hard to hold back tears when talks about this great accident.

Day after day, his the situation was getting worse.

Baldwin became so sick that it was clear that he couldn't do it anymore

to rule the kingdom. Autumn 1183. from the sick bed

appointed his son-in-law Gius from Lisinjan for regent.

Many thought it was Gi is too weak to rule.

However, he was determined to prove his leadership skills

so that he would get caught in a stake with Saladin's strength.

He was assisted by an ally at court, a bloodthirsty tribe

who deeply hated Saladin - Reynald of cation.

Reynald was the one who caused the long-awaited war.

For four decades, the crusaders have respected the right of Muslims to pass over

their territories for trade and pilgrimage between Egypt and Arabia.

However, in January 1187 Reynald broke the truce.

He attacked one rich without reason a loaded Muslim caravan.

He took the nobles and Women as prisoners

and robbed their property.

He treacherously seized booty, animals and weapons.

He threw all the travelers into the dungeon, abused them, tortured them.

When he was reminded of truce, he replied

"Tell your Muhammad to set you free. "

When was this attack reported To Saladin, he said it was killing

unarmed pilgrims unacceptable.

whatever else I do or don't do, this is one head i have to have.

Reynaldo's brutal attack provided is Saladin's pretext for war.

He gathered a huge army from all parts of his empire.

With more than ten thousand horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers,

he headed towards Hatin, the end shore of the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Until the moment of creating this one army, Saladin was looked upon as

an important leader, but only one of the many who fought for themselves

to achieve this unity. The first one a great opportunity to show what the army is

which he created can do she was in the battle of Hatin.

In June 1187, the forces that Saladin gathered they started to come to

the vast plain beyond here me. We can imagine a torrent

Muslim horsemen and footmen who they come from Iraq, Syria and Egypt.

Saladin threw down the gauntlet and Gi did had to answer. He collected

the entire Christian army from the castles and cities throughout the kingdom.

There were 1,300 knights,

including the Templars and Hospitallers and 15,000 foot soldiers

Twenty kilometers in this direction, behind the modern settlement and over the hill,

there was Sephoria, the base where the army of the Franks was gathering.

They carried the most famous one as their banner

a relic - Cross of the Lord.

They believed that she would bring God's protection and ensure victory.

Today, many Roman Catholics still they always believe in the power of relics.

In a quiet monastery in Jerusalem, kept in a golden ark,

a piece of the supposed Cross of the Lord is lying.

This little piece of wood in the shape the cross is part of the Lord's Cross

on which Jesus was crucified.

How much is this cross to us? precious, you can imagine.

You should not touch the relics we look upon as magical objects.

If she protects us, it is because she protects us

God or his holy angels.

Believing that God is on their side foreign, Guy, Reynald and Christian

the army were ready to faced Saladin.

On the third of July, the Franks set out from his camp in Sephoria

in good order. In the beginning progress went well,

but as the day wore on, it was getting hotter and hotter.

No water on the desert plain the heavily armored Christian army is

suffered from severe dehydration.

In the heat of the day, The Franks struggled hard.

They began to slowly lose harmony, order and like a giant train

which slows down, or they are barely over of the big hill. They were out in the open

space without water and without almost nothing to eat.

And then, like an oasis in sight, the Crusaders saw the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Finally, an opportunity to quench the thirst. Saladin's biographer, Baha al-Din,

he explained how his the master caught the Christians in a trap.

The Christians, surrounded by infantry, tried to make their way to the lake

in the hope that water will come, but Saladin saw their goal

and he set himself and his army on the way.

The crusading army went crazy from Đedji was cut off from the lake.

Gi Lizinjan had no choice. U in a desperate attempt to reach water

he ordered a charge against Saladin's men.

Desperate attacks of crusader knights Saladin's fresh forces repulsed.

The Muslims refused one chasing after the other.

And Saladin had more one trick up his sleeve.

During the summer, this place is like a training arena flare up. It's incredibly dry.

Saladin completed the crusade by setting a fire,

and the wind was driving the smoke to the crosses and made their throats even drier.

Muslim soldiers are im increased the trouble by creating a terrible one

and the constant noise of the drums, cymbals and singing.

They caused fear and foreboding evil to the Christian army.

It must be a terrible experience to be out in the open they know

yes you will the next one day probably die.

On the morning of the 4th of July, the remaining the Christians were getting ready

to provide the last resistance.

The fishermen saw "Horns Hatina", i.e. the old fortress

from the Iron Age where they are believed that they would be safe.

They started uphill here and there, in the crater, it was placed

the red shield of King Gius Lizinjan.

Here in the crater you can imagine unforgettable scenes.

A few hundred left horsemen turning

and they are trying to organize themselves.

Chronicles record that it is sacred the golden chest in which it is kept

a precious relic Cross of the Lord pushed

into Gio's red �ator for safety.

While the Christians are exhausted fell from exhaustion,

the Muslim army was ready for the last rush.

Saladin ordered his detachments

to capture Gius, Reynalda and the red �ator.

I was next to the sultan when we saw Franke

how he retreats before the Muslim I'm rushing. I shouted happily.

"We defeated them!". Sultan turned to me and said

"Shut up, we didn't beat them until the �ator falls".

As soon as he said that, the cat fell.

Relic of the Cross Lord's is captured.

Saladin's victory over the crusade was complete.

July 1187. The Battle of Hatin was over.

Saladin defeated the Crusader army. He finally met face to face

with his sworn enemy Reynald.

Saladin is due to many wanted revenge for his wrongdoings.

He gave orders to the prince Reynald and Guy, king of the Franks,

brought before him. The king complained on �edj, so the sultan gave it to him

they bring clear tea of the water he drank

and then he added to Raynald.

The Sultan shouted at the King

"This wicked man he doesn't have my permission to drink

and he will not save his life that way".

It's with one hand cut off Reynald's head.

Gee assumed he was next.

Saladin liked him very much peacefully and mildly assured that,

as he literally said, kings do not kill kings.

Reynald was an evil man and he deserved to be killed for

of his crimes. That was it the exception, not the rule.

However, there was no mercy for Hospitallers and Templars,

the best knights of the Crusader states dedicated to the fight against Islam.

The Sultan decided to put them to death, to kill them all without exception.

Partially, it was in question Saladin's decision to challenge

astonishment and fear. These are, you say, your best knights.

Here - they are gone.

The Battle of Hatin was a disaster for the Crusader states in the Holy Land.

Gi and the Kingdom of Jerusalem they lost almost everything.

Almost every castle and every city they were left without their defenders.

As if they were all their own took the dice in hand,

threw them and all the throws were bad.

The Christian army was destroyed, and the king of Jerusalem is now

was Saladin's prisoner.

Saladin's dream finally came true.

I think it is true to say that it is Hattin was Saladin's key victory

and that he was aware that it is a historic moment

which will enable him to be remembered in Islam.

Saladin could justify anything years of struggle to unite his people.

He won a decisive victory which they admired so much.

They drank a cup of fate and spears beckoned them.

Horse hooves created clouds the dust that was coming together

with the horse's reins, the glare of polished swords

who sowed near them. This was a difficult day for the disbelievers.

God has decided that our faith will win.

A trapped gold chest in a coma a piece of the Lord's Cross was kept

it was night in the streets of Damascus, that is was the ultimate insult to Christians.

In fact, a Christian defeat he predicted two years earlier

their official chronicler Viljem Tirski.

Exhausted by terrible accidents that are so often, almost constantly,

happened in the kingdoms, he decided to throw away the pen and leave it alone

chronicles of events that we are let's start writing for posterity.

Saladin rushed through the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Accra, Caesarea, Jaffa are all fast lit. In October 1187, Muslim

the army came to the highest prize of all - Jerusalem.

They set up camp in front of the walls and prepared to besiege the city.

The defenders pleaded for mercy. At first, Saladin did not intend to

that is yes to the Christians. He wanted to kill them the same way they are

crusaders killed Muslims in 1099.

Inside Jerusalem, the Christians knew they had no chance against it

Saladin's sieges and his mighty army.

That's why they found something to bargain with. If Saladin were to attack the city,

they threatened to destroy Al Aqsa Mosque,

one of the holiest Islamic sites.

Saladin thought about it. Decided is to take a more prudent course.

He will spare Christians if pay the ransom. That was agreed upon

and Saladin entered the holy the city, its goal, in peace.

For our lord Saladin it was a big win.

The reason why he is a hero respect in the Arab world is what it is

recovered Jerusalem, did him again by the open city

for believers of book i reversed the fate of the other world.

Jerusalem was again in by Muslim hands

and is busy calmly, unlike of the Crusader conquest 88 years earlier.

But the Muslims are in a symbolic way showed contempt for Christians.

When Saladin's victorious troops entered Jerusalem in October 1187,

one of the first things they did was to remove the cross from the Dome

on the rock and to drag him the streets of Jerusalem,

hitting him, insulting him and spitting on him.

The Crusader states were broken. The fall of Jerusalem caused

waves of the eye throughout the Christian of the world. Almost immediately afterwards,

there was a call on the Third Crusade.

Shocking news of defeat crusade near Hatin in 1187

and the loss of Jerusalem they echoed throughout the West.

Almost immediately afterwards, Pope Gregory XIII instructed

an emotional call to the Third Crusade.

Anyone of sound mind who does not pour tears, he seems to have forgotten not only

the Christian faith and its own humanity. You savage barbarians,

Desires of Christian blood, used are all in their power to promise

holy places and exile honoring God in this country.

The difference between the Third and the Second of the crusade was what it is

now western Europe had a very clear goal.

It was quite clear why will lead this crusade,

about the recovery of Jerusalem. Waves of eyes that flowed through

Western Europe after Hatin and the losses of Jerusalem were enormous.

The most powerful leaders of Europe gathered are to declare their return

of the holy city of Jerusalem, for all time.

May 1189, the first army of 100,000 people left Germany,

headed by the emperor Friedrich Barbaros.

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was Holy Roman Emperor,

the most powerful man in Western Europe.

By then he is already 40 years sat on the throne.

He was a veteran of the Second Crusade war, one of the few people who

were still alive at the time of the Third. His authority was enormous.

Saladin was terrified. He knew this was the strongest card

on which Christians can play.

However, Barbarossa drowned crossing a line on the way

to the Holy Land. The biggest part his army lost its will

to continue and returned home.

The armies of the kings of England remained and France. king of england

33-year-old Ri�ard I was the one who dominated the war.

We experience in our thoughts him as one of the greatest

of the kings of England, one of the mythical kings of the English past.

In reality, he would himself experienced as a Frenchman,

as we would say today. His main possessions were in

today's France, and Anjou an empire that included England

and large parts of the continent spread throughout the French world.

Richard I was the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

He was already an experienced commander. He spent the most

part of his life fighting in France and he knew that success in battle

requires a full war treasury.

He was fully aware that the crusade is worth it,

if he wants to lead a successful crusade and achieve your goal,

necessary financial support. To secure it,

he was literally ready to he takes money from wherever he can.

New taxes have been announced, the so-called Saladin's dozen,

in order to finance Richard's Crusade.

In addition, Richard sold everything owned - castles, cities

and land to provide supplying the expedition.

It was said that he would sell and London, if only he could.

He was determined not to repeat it fiasco of the Second Crusade.

It was the best prepared

and equipped campaign which he could start.

After fourteen months of preparation, Richard set out for the Holy Land,

in the Third Crusade.

During that time, sure of his own strength, Saladin decided to let go

of his prisoner Gius Lisinjana. He believed that the overthrown

the Christian king is higher does not pose a threat.

The Sultan set out to liberate of King Gius. He conditioned the king to

he never drew his sword again him and be his servant forever.

The king has transgressed promise, God cursed him.

Gi broke the oath to Saladin and gathered his remaining forces.

He intended to redeem himself again raised his entrusted kingdom.

He was a humiliated man, disgraced in the eyes of Christianity.

He was the man who is lost the holy city of Jerusalem.

In order to restore his reputation he had to do something extraordinary.

He decided to implement a very a bold idea. Here we see the city of Accra.

It was the most important port on Levant. She was supposed to be the base

new rich kingdoms. Gi was a king without a kingdom

and he had to start from somewhere.

Saladin's fortified port of Acre the forces soon took over

after the fall of Jerusalem. Now is with an army of 400 knights

and 7,000 Gi infantry decided to return it.

We can see the area that it is attacked here, looking at the map.

We have a Tower of Flies down here which you can see there in the harbor,

and along it are the city walls. This is a medieval city which is Gi

decided to obsess. Posted by has his squads in a circle here,

there he established his own humanity and buried it.

Muslims in Acre are plagued Gius's army

stones, rocks, even body parts.

News of the siege reached Saladin and his army rushed

down the coast to help defend the city.

With the arrival of Saladin's troops,

Gi and his army they couldn't break through.

Over two exhausting years,

Muslims and Christians are struggled with interruptions around Acre.

Gi knew he needed help He wants to get out of the dead end.

She came. King Richard and his army

of 17,000 people were on the road.

June 1191 after several months basic preparations and travel

which lasted a year day, the English king Richard I

and his army of 17,000 people arrived in Accra.

The cursed King of England has arrived. He was given a grand ceremony,

because he was a mighty warrior of greatness courage. His arrival caused

chill and fear in the hearts of Muslims.

Ri�ard and his men are were an immediate source of inspiration

for the exhausted Christian army.

Ri�ard took charge of the battle

and in a few weeks took it out of the way.

He came with the power western military technologies.

He had huge siege sleeps that was able to take with him.

They were almost like human personalities for the crusaders.

They had names like "Bo�ji personal catapult" or "Bad Neighbor"

and they drove the fear of God into their hearts their Muslim rivals.

Siege devices, transferred to parts and then reassembled

in the East, they enabled the Crusaders to intensify the bombing of Acre

and to succeed on the walls.

However, the chronicles are revealing as Saladin could perform

counter attack on these huge towers.

A Syrian soldier offered Saladin's recipe for Greek fire,

a kind of medieval napalm. Made from crude oil

and sticky tree resins she was a destroyer.

She turned everything to ashes and everyone on their way.

In fact, she is very hard to do

and the key ingredient is oil

because it provides a more persistent flame who won't just spray something.

That is not difficult. The flame will hook onto the target and light it.

One after the other, the Greeks fire fell on the crusader army.

Suddenly, Ri�ard found in the defensive,

since all three are his giant towers disappeared in flames.

Flashing missiles of the Greeks fires hit their targets

which were disappearing in flames.

Since he ran out of large war machines,

Ri�ardo was desperate a new strategy is needed.

He offered his soldiers po four gold coins for each stone

which removed some of the towers from their foundations.

What he did was to make big concentrate your efforts on one point

to create a breach in the walls. It was a deep passage through

which crusaders could enter the city.

After five weeks of fighting, Richard's squads broke through

the walls of Acre, occupied the city and took 2,700 of Saladin's men as hostages.

Until then undisturbed by Saladin the ascent was stopped.

Baha al Din testifies to the influence of this defeat to the Muslim leader.

I approached Saladin.

He was like a parent

who was left without a child.

I pushed him as hard as I could

and convinced him to think of his own duty towards Palestine and Jerusalem

and to save the Muslims who remained in the city.

Accra was a great victory for the Crusaders and Richard.

His bravery in battle brought him is a glory in the whole Christian world,

and with it a new name - Richard the Lionheart

The Third Crusade is now could proceed to Jerusalem,

to liberate the Holy City.

Ri�ard, however, had to first to say the question of thousands of hostages.

He sent an ultimatum to Saladin. People will be released in exchange

for the purchase of 200,000 gold coins and the relic of the Cross of the Lord.

The negotiations also lasted Ri�ard concluded, probably correctly,

that Saladin uses these hostages to dragged out the negotiations and exhausted the Franks.

Ri�ard was more and more agitated and he finally did what some have done

characterized as a war crime.

That's why he was criticized in his time.

Richard's deeds that day in Accra they entered history

as one of the most ruthless an episode of the Crusades.

The enemy brought out the prisoners for whom God intended martyrdom.

With swords in hand they killed them in cold blood.

About the massacre of Muslim prisoners it is still spoken in Accra

as about one very a cruel event.

Richard is in my opinion was completely cruel.

Ru�ard took such harsh measures because he believed he had no alternative.

In the coldest, most calculated way in the military sense, that is true.

These people were a burden to him.

He had to feed them, yes he takes care of them, to protect them.

He hardly intended to free them, because they would come back again

turned him on, so he tried to resolve the situation quickly and effectively.

It was a very cruel act, but it enabled him to take advantage

moment and the advance begins to the south for fulfillment

his mission of the liberation of the Holy City.

Victory cross an army of 12,000 men

she left Acre in August 1191.

and headed south to her own the ultimate goal - Jerusalem.

Saladin had to stop Ri�ard's advance

south to Jerusalem. If he didn't do that,

he risked losing the Holy City and its influence in the Islamic world.

When the Crusaders left Acre they were very confident.

They were convinced that it would be able to defeat the Muslims.

They went in a very special formation. Deeper inland were fishermen

Whose most important role is was to protect the heavy cavalry.

The cavalry itself was set up with the Templars at the head

and Hospitals on request. The strongest people are determined

to protect the most vulnerable parts of the column.

She went between the cavalry and the sea chamber, the weakest, the slowest

and the most difficult part of the army to defend.

In the end, she sailed on the sea Crusading fleet, key

to supply the army. That was a mark from the textbook.

The Third Crusade became is a war of wills between

two big men - Richard and Saladin.

Both were warriors, diplomats, strategists of the highest order.

Saladin intended to destroy crusaders on the way to Jerusalem.

His archers kept attacking, but Ri�ard was unstoppable.

He shows in this period the enormous charisma of the military leader

and tremendous discipline. It shows that he is able to continue

troop advance, even and while being shot with arrows.

We heard about people from from which 10 arrows stick out,

but they still remain in order and they are marching. It completely backfired

Saladin's plan to thin crusaders during their march.

This discipline shows that it is Richard was a true military genius.

Richard's army is survived Saladin's attack

and reached Jaffa in September 1191.

A month later he left the shore

and rode into the interior towards Jerusalem.

Ri�ard was now worryingly close to the Holy City.

And then he brought �uvena and an astonishing decision that goes to the core

shook his army and about which historians have been debating ever since.

Between Jaffa and Jerusalem is about 70 kilometers,

and Ri�ard stopped at everything a few kilometers from the Holy City.

He saw that he was cruising, if him they take, they will not be able to maintain it.

Many of the army were enraged. They came to liberate the Holy City

and they could not allow it not to attack him.

Richard overcame them, turned back and headed back to shore.

Ri�ard was paying that his reduced an army of 12,000 men doesn't stand a chance

to occupy the Holy City and defend him from the inevitable

of Saladin's counterattack, with reinforcements from the entire Islamic world.

He failed in primary school mission of the Third Crusade -

the recapture of Jerusalem.

Deep in his heart and deep in his urges, I think she was

genuine desire to continue to to Jerusalem and occupied this holy city.

That's why the crusade is i launched. However, at the same time,

he was a general and a king.

He knew that the military feeling was speaking to him that Jerusalem cannot be captured.

He had no resources. At best case, he could not keep it,

Even if he could by some miracle he takes possession of it.

In the spring of 1192, Ri�ard returned to Accra,

a coastal town that is occupied eight months earlier.

He decided to fortify the cities which he occupied along the coast,

leaving the door open for the future crusade.

But his decision backfired is the initiative back

into his hands archenemy Saladin.

As he was no longer forced to to protect Jerusalem, Saladin launched

a flashy attack on a coastal town Jaffa, near today's Tel Aviv.

Here in Jaffa, Saladin tried to breaks the Christian stronghold on the coast.

He sent a group of men and they were besieged city. They got inside very quickly

and only the citadel provided resistance. The garrison was desperate.

They sent an invitation to Ri�ard who was further up the coast near Acre.

Ri�ard reacted immediately. Collected is something of knights and crossbowmen

and sailed down the coast to Jaffa.

Richard is on the beach in front of the city

showed his inspired military leadership.

The Crusaders were staring defeat in the face. However, with great courage

Ri�ard took his little one with him saved the army into battle,

while Saladin looked on.

Both men developed a real respect for the other during the war.

I think Saladin knew that Ri�ard is a real military force

which must be reckoned with I think that Ri�ard knew he was Saladin

almost unique in the Islamic world

according to what he created united empire.

Saladin's admiration for the crusader the king grew as he watched

how Ri�ard expels the Muslims forces from the beach to the city.

The battle was fought in the street street, while the crusaders were overrunning it

Jaffa from the Saladins troop. During the battle,

platoon arrow shot down is Richard's horse.

Seeing the king vulnerable and exposed, Saladin ordered

to his people to send him a replacement.

As the battle continued, both sides were overpowered

exhausted and tired. However, in the end Ri�ard's organized

and the violent attack was too much for Saladin's men also retreated.

Until September 1192, two the armies brought each other

to a dead stop. Saladin faced

growing discontent of their Muslim allies.

He was no longer sure that can sustain this level of combat

and war indefinitely. The reason was what his soldiers were

were from these countries. They are not came from outside, they were not paid,

they were not ready to follow their leaders until the day of judgment.

These were people from the surrounding area villages and towns they had

families, property, land which they had to process

and they didn't like to be away all the time.

Richard, whose authority is challenged at home in England and Saladin,

a truce was needed.

It was agreed that the Christians would keep coastal cities from Jaffa to Tyre,

but for Jerusalem to remain in Muslim hands.

In turn, the Christians pilgrims were allowed

to enter Jerusalem and escape veneration of the Holy Sepulchre.

Richard the Lionheart himself is not set foot in the Holy City.

He refused to enter Jerusalem as long as it is in the hands of the enemy.

In October 1192, Ri�ard set out for Europe. Saladin received the envoy

of the King of England who vowed that he will come back to vomit

all the territory of Jerusalem back, when he collects more money and people.

Through the messenger, Saladin sent his reply:

"If this country will be lost, he would rather take it

Richard's powerful force than any other ruler".

Only six months later, in March 1193.

Saladin died at the age of 56. years, exhausted by marches and sieges

and battles that lasted longer than five years.

His faithful friend Baha al Din remembered that sad day.

I arrived when he was already there dead and gone to God for the truth.

The citadel, the city and the world were overcome by such a sense of loss

that only God could understand it.

Sadness, sadness, tears and crying

they did not give to any man to look at anyone else.

I think it's Saladin's commitment whatever it is

he was the man who vomited Jerusalem. His occupation is

fulfilled many hopes Muslims of the Middle East.

But for Ri�ard the Lion the heart is Saladin's subsequent death

so soon after he left The Holy Land was a bitter irony.

If Ri�ard had stayed during that last winter,

his archenemy would leave. The Muslim world would fall apart.

After Saladin's death followed by a struggle over the inheritance,

and Ri�ard would be perfect place to use it.

Ri�ard Lavlje The heart never fails did not return to the Holy Land.

He died in 1199 from an arrow wound received while fighting in France.

There will be occasional crusades launched over the next hundred years,

but it is a delight for the liberation of the Holy Land

eventually it started to disappear.

This movement brought only one win, only one success,

and that is the First Crusade.

It is true, of course, that crusaders the expeditions never succeeded

to overcome Islam during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Also, during this time the crusaders were losing the battle.

They desperately tried to maintain or recover lost,

and they never achieved a full victory.

In 1291, the last one the Christian outpost of Acre,

it fell into the hands of the Muslims.

Bicentennial Crusade

occupation of the Holy the land was finished.

However, psychologically the scars remained.

The Crusades had a very profound influence on Arab society.

They were seen as barbaric invasion and stories about those expeditions still exist

they talk in bars and in the circle family as if they happened yesterday.

Whenever the West invaded the region again,

people would say that it is another crusade.

After their victory in the First Crusade,

the Christians fought desperately to be held in the Holy Land.

In the end, however, it is Saladin's capture of Jerusalem in 1187

either the newspaper dies Christian things.

The Crusades were the collision of two civilizations.

Each fought for the Holy Land

and everyone believed that is God on her side.

Blood that both sides spilled it forever

redefined the relations between Christians and Muslims.

This epic conflict that happened almost a thousand years ago

between two ideals - of the crusade and jihad,

casts its shadow to this day.

Taken from www.titlovi.com