But, residents say, last spring Turkey opened the borders it shares with the town, allowing Syrian rebel groups, with whom they are allied, to invade.
Rebels first purported to show their "moderate" religious credentials by protecting Kessab's Christian residents and heritage.
But very quickly, things changed, as crosses were shot and churches set on fire.
The desecration of religious sites in Kessab is some of the most wholesale seen in the Syrian war.