{{about|the Syrian city around Krak des Chevaliers fortress|the Jordanian city|Al-Husn, Jordan}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- Basic info --> |official_name = Al-Hosn |other_name = Al-Hisn |native_name = الحصن |settlement_type = City
<!-- Images --> |image_skyline = Village Al-Husn, Krak des Chevaliers, Syria 2010-1.jpg |imagesize = 250px |image_caption = The city of Al-Hosn seen from the southeast tower of Krak des Chevaliers
<!-- Location --> |pushpin_map = Syria |pushpin_label_position = bottom |pushpin_mapsize = 250 |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Syria
|subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Syria |subdivision_type1 = Governorate |subdivision_name1 = Homs |subdivision_type2 = District |subdivision_name2 = Talkalakh |subdivision_type3 = Subdistrict |subdivision_name3 = Hawash
<!-- Population --> |population_as_of = 2004 |population_total = 8,980
<!-- Time --> |timezone = EET |utc_offset = +3 |timezone_DST = EEST |utc_offset_DST = +2
<!-- Coordinates --> |coordinates = {{coord|34|45|32|N|36|17|49|E|region:SY|display=inline,title}} }}
'''Al-Hosn''' ({{langx|ar|الحصن}}, also spelled '''Al-Hisn''') is a city in northwestern Syria, administratively part of the Homs Governorate. It is located west of Homs and north of the border with Lebanon. Nearby localities include al-Huwash to the east, Anaz to the southeast, Aridah to the south, al-Zarah to the southwest, Zweitina to the west, al-Nasirah and Marmarita to the northwest, Muqlus to the north, and Mazinah to the northeast.
According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Al-Hosn had a population of 8,980 in the 2004 census. It is the largest urban center in the al-Huwash ''nahiyah'' ("subdistrict"), which consisted of 19 localities with a collective population of 24,684 in 2004.<ref name="CBS">[https://archive.today/20130112193428/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB04-17-2004.htm General Census of Population and Housing 2004]. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Homs Governorate. {{in lang|ar}}</ref>
The inhabitants of the city are predominantly Sunni Muslims, with a significant Christian minority, and it lies within a region largely populated by Christians known as Wadi al-Nasara ("Valley of the Christians"). The city contains a Greek Catholic Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://95.85.10.16/media_b/kan/country/sy/5/sy04?nav_show=|title=الموسوعة المسيحية العربية الإلكترونية}}</ref>
Al-Hosn is built around the Krak des Chevaliers fortress (known in Arabic as ''Qalʿat al-Hosn''). The name ''Al-Hosn'' means "the Fortress." The modern city developed after the relocation of inhabitants from the fortress itself during French-led excavations. Subsequent growth occurred with limited urban planning, resulting in significant urban sprawl surrounding the fortress.<ref>Darke, 2006, pp. 198–199.</ref>
In 2014, Al-Hosn was the site of a major battle during the Syrian Civil War.
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|first1=Diane|last1=Darke|title=Syria|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2006|isbn=1841621625}} * {{cite book|last1=Robinson|first1=E.|last2=Smith|first2=E.|year=1841|title=Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea|publisher=Crocker & Brewster|volume=3}} {{refend}}
thumb|left|An alley in Al-Hosn with a view of the fortress
{{Commons category}}
{{Homs Governorate|talkalakh}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hosn, Al}} Category:Populated places in Talkalakh District