Qal'at Ja'bar, Ar-Raqqah, Syria.

35.897600,38.475200

There has been a fortification on this hilltop overlooking the Euphrates since at least the 11th century. Prominant on the skyline is a minaret dating from the 12th century reconstruction of the fortress by Nur ad-Din Zangi.
During construction of the Tabqa Dam, some 8 km beyond here, extensive consolidation and reconstruction work was carried out in advance of flooding of the area by the reservoir formed behind it ( Lake Assad ). Today the fortress survives on an island, accessed by causeway, some 15 km by road from the north side of the dam. This view is of the approach to the fortress ( and its entrance ) from the west.
The tomb of Suleyman Shah was once located very near here.