Syria was one of the main battlegrounds during the Crusader period, and witnessed the construction of many Muslim citadels and Frankish castles. Saladin (d. 589 / 1193) ­– the most famous Muslim hero of the Crusader era – was buried in Damascus. His successful campaigns saw the conquest of some 50 Crusader positions, including Chateau de Saone which he besieged in 584 / 1188. Now known as Qal‘at Salah al-Din, or Saladin Castle, this is one of the finest examples of a castle from the period extant.