Despite its predominantly military character , the castle is one of the few sites where Crusader art ( in the form of frescoes ) have been preserved . In 1935 , 1955 , and 1978 medieval frescoes was discovered within Krak des Chevaliers after later plaster and white @-@ wash had decayed . The frescos was painted on the interior and exterior of the main chapel and the chapel outside the main entrance , which no longer survive . Writing in 1982 , historian Jaroslav Folda noted that at the time there had been little investigation of Crusader frescoes that would provide a comparison for the fragmentary remains found at Krak des Chevaliers . Those in the chapel was painted on the masonry from the 1170 – 1202 rebuild . Mold , smoke , and moisture have made it difficult to preserve the frescoes . The fragmentary nature of the red and blue frescoes inside the chapel mean they are difficult to assess . The one on the exterior of the chapel depicted the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple .