An ancient lake-side fortress, once used by jihadists to launch attacks, is slowly regaining its status as a key cultural destination, attracting visitors from across war-torn Syria. Families pose for pictures under the hot June sun, some perched on an ancient brick wall overlooking the banks of Lake Assad, a man-made reservoir in northern Syria's Raqa province. Syrian visitor Abdullah al-Jaber says he would often show his children photographs of his childhood trips to the citadel in the hope that they would one day visit it together. "Their dream was to see Qalaat Jaabar," the 41-year-old says with a smile. "Today I brought them here to see it." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES