The main goal of the Crusades, which took place from the 11th to the 13th centuries, was to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites in the Middle East from Muslim control. Initiated by Pope Urban II in 1095, the Crusades were a series of religious wars that aimed to secure safe pilgrimage routes and strengthen Christian dominance in the region. Over the years, they evolved to encompass broader political and economic motivations as European powers sought to expand their influence. The Crusades significantly impacted relations between Christians and Muslims, with lasting cultural and historical ramifications.