Crusader Church North Aisle

Crusader Church North Aisle

View looking east through the north aisle of the Crusader Church.   This area was part of a Muslim fortress after Beit Guvrin was captured from the Crusaders.

The Church was built ca. 1136 by King Fulk of Anjou. 

A Crusader fortress was built at Beit Gibelin by King Fulk of Anjou on the ruins of an Early Islamic fort.  This was granted to the Hospitallers in 1136.  Under their patronage and protection, a civilian settlement of 32 Frankish families settled there in AD 1160.