Photos: Reenactors gather to fight historic 12th-century Crusades battle

Israeli and Russian members of knight clubs cook their breakfast before the reenactment of the Battle of Hattin in Lavi Forest, northern Israel, July 4, 2015. Some 60 history buffs are re-enacting the famed battle near an extinct volcano in northern Israel overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where Saladin's army defeated the crusaders at the end of the 12th century. Oded Balilty / AP

Replete with swords, shields and body armor, the reenactors marched 17 miles. Oded Balilty / AP

Fought in 1187, the Battle of Hattin is considered one of the most significant battles of the Middle Ages. Oded Balilty / AP

The famed battle was fought near an extinct volcano in northern Israel overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Oded Balilty / AP

An Israeli member of a knight club fixes her sandal in the camp before marching 27 kilometers (17 miles) to the reenactment of the Battle of Hattin from the ancient northern city of Zippori to Horns of Hattin, July 2, 2015. Oded Balilty / AP

An Israeli member of a knight club sleeps before the reenactment. Oded Balilty / AP

About a third of the participants arrived with their elaborate gear from Russia. The reenactment was supported by the Lower Galilee Regional Council. Oded Balilty / AP

An Israeli boy plays with his mother, a member of a knight club, before the reenactment of the Battle of Hattin in Lavi Forest. Oded Balilty / AP

Israeli and Russian members of knight clubs gather to fight. Oded Balilty / AP

Israeli and Russian members of knight clubs wearing medieval costumes eat dinner two nights before marching to the reenactment of the Battle of Hattin from the ancient Israeli city of Zippori to Horns of Hattin, July 2, 2015. Oded Balilty / AP