DAMASCUS
Damascus the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. It is mentioned in the Egyptian texts of the 18th Dynasty. In 940 B.C. became the capital of the Aramean Kingdom, which organized resistance to the Assyrian invitations. Finally the city was captured by the Assyrians in the 8th Century B.C. , while in 612 B.C. it came under the Yoke of the Babylonians and then of the Persians in 539B.C. In 332-333 it was captured y Parmenion ( one of the Alexander’s leaders ) and finally fell to the Selucids. Around 85 B.C. the Nabateans from Petra took the city . Damascus was famous in the annuals of Christianity as the plan of the conversion of St.Paul. In 635 A.C. the city open its gates to the Arabs and became the capital of Omayyad Empire while in 750 A.C. the Abbasides moved the capital to Baghdad and ignored Damascus . The Crusaders attacks the city in 1148 , and in 1174 it passed to Salaheddin and his successors . In 1516 the Ottoman Turks occupied it till the French entered Syria in 1920 when the mandate began, and terminated in 1945 when Syria regained its political independence , while Damascus became the Capital of Syrian Arab Republic .
The most interesting sites to visit are : National Museum , Tekieh Souleimanieh , Handcraft Bazaar, Hamidieh Bazaar, The Omayyad Mosque , Salaheddin Mausoleum, Azem Palace , The Street called Straight. St. Ananias House , St. Paul’s Window , the Walls of the city , Sayedat Zeinab Shrine , Sayedat Roukeiah Shrine , Old Mosques and Churches .
MAALOULA :
It is the most beautiful summer resort in the Kalamoun Mountains 1800m. above sea level. Built on the slops of which its houses have been cut into the caves of the mountain, where the village lives. Having a famous split as a narrow passage in the Mountain. The Monastery of St. Tekla ( one of the pupils of St. Paul )is very famous and contains the body of the Saint in one of his rooms . The Monastery of St. Serge & Bacchus also very famous with its cupoladates back to Byzantine period.
The most fascinating thing is that the inhabitants sill speak the Aramaec language ( the language of Jesus Christ ). Nowadays, it is dead language , except for the dialect still spoken in Maaloula, and other two villages in the same mountain : Bakhaa and Jabadin.
SEIDNAYA :
Built partly on plain and partly on the height, on the top of which stands the Monastery looks like a fortress. It goes back to the time of Justinian ( the Byzantine Emperor 547 A.C. ) The most important sites in Seidnaya : The Monastery of Mar Touma ( St. Thomas ) The Monastery of Cherubin , The monastery of Virgin Mary ( contains a miraculous Icon of Virgin Mary drawn by St. Luc and the collection of Icons .
BOSRA :
Bosra enters history in Hellenistic Time at the beginning of the first century B.C. It fell into the hands of the Nabatians . In 106 A.D. The Roman built a theater which is considered one of the largest and best preserved . Bosra played an important part in the history of Christianity .
The most interesting sites to visit :
The house of the Nestorian priest Bahira , the Basilica , The Citadel , The Sakkaya Pillars , Roman baths, the two Islamic Mosques of Omar and Fatima , and the Roman Theater.
Homs :
Famous at the Roman Time under the name “ EMESSA “ the it became one of the chief town in Syria .
Important sites : Ibn al Walid Mosque , the Virgin’s belt Church ( oum al zennar ) Mar Elian Church .
SHAHBA :
The city is the birthplace of the Syrian Emperor who ruled Rome ( from 244 to 249 A.D. ) for that , the city named “ Philipopolis “ the city is rich and famous by its collection of monuments and mosaics from the 3rd century A.D. , the Theater , the Tetrapyle and the ancient Roman baths.
SOUEIDA :
The chief town of Jabal al Aarab , It was occupied by the Nabatians in the fikrst century B.C. Then Roman , later was the seat of Bishopric at the Byzantine period at the 5th Century. The Museum of Soueida is important to visit .
PALMYRA :
The first reference to the town of “ TADMOR “ goes back to the 19th century B.C. foun in Cappadocian, Akkadean, and Assyrian tablets. Then was occupied by the Arameans. Later in 64 B.C. by the Romans . In 129 Hadrian visited the town , which assumed the name of Hadrian Palmyra , when he conferred on it the battle of free town. In 266 and after the assassination of the husband of Zenobia ( Odhenatus ) Zenobia claimed the title of Augustus for her infant son Wahaballat ; In 272 Zenobia was taken as a prisoner to Rome. In the following year the Romans destroyed Palmyra and the city gradually became deserted. Then the city was occupied by the byzantine at the time of Justinian and finally by the Moslems .
The most interesting sites are : The Temple of Bel ( 120 A.D. ) The temple of Baalshamine ( 130 A.D. ) The Monumental arch and the Great Colonnade , the Theater , The Agora , The Tetrapyle, The Tombs , The Necropolis , and the Museum.
Lattakia :
Lattakia is the Syrian main port on the Mediterranean . It was conquered by Alexander after the battle of Issus in 333 B.C. then became one of the 5 cities built in the 3rd century B.C. by Seleucos Nicator who gave the city the name of “ Laodecia “ in honor of his mother . In the 3rd Century A.D. Zenobia extended her Empire over the town, during the Byzantine period it was destroyed by two earthquakes in 494 and 555, later it was rebuilt by Justinian ( 527 – 565 A.D. ) . Crusaders captured it. At the Ottoman conquest ( 1516 ) Lattakia was independency f the viceroys of Hama . Lattakia now is the starting point for excursions to summer resorts , medieval castles and archeological sites in the surrounding mountains and the coastline area .
KRAK DES CHEVALIERS :
The most famous medieval fortress in the world. Well noted for its admirable architecture . It has been occupied by crusaders in 1110 A.D. , while in 1142 it was given to the Knights Hospitallors . The inner castle was completed in 1170 A.D. and by 1200 Krak looked very much as it does today. It resisted Salaheddin’s attempt capture it after the battle of “ Hittin “ but finally was captured by Sultan Beibars in 1171 A.D.
TARTOUS :
Small port on the Mediterranean holds a very important role in the history of Christianity in Syria . The city is located on the shore facing the Phoenician city of Arados ( Arwad Island ) . It was captured by the Crusaders soon after their arrival in the holy land in 1099 and in 1183 was named as head quarter of Tripolito the Knights Templor . Tortosa became one of the main supply port for the crusades . Famous for its cathedral of our lady of Tortosa ( 12th Century ) a Museum has been arranged inside with a selection of objects from various sites along the Syrian coast.
HAMA :
An old and timeless city famed by its Norias , the huge wooden waterwheels that have been scoping water from the Orontes and pouring it into irrigation canals for centuries .
Important sites : The museum , the Grand Mosque , The cathedral of Hama .
MARQAB CASTLE :
The citadel was built in 1062 , later ( in 1186 ) it was captured by the knights Hospitallors . In 1270 , after the capture of Krak Des Chevaliers , the Hospitallors had to abandon all the territories held in common with the Muslims and besieged y Sultan Qalaun . In 1285 the fortress surrounded and its defenders retired to Acre , Qalaun repaired it , provision it, and installed a strong garrison .
SALADDIN CASTLE :
The origins of Sahyoun are very ancient , it goes back to the time of Alexander the great ( 333 B.C. ) The Phoenicians and Byzantines ( 975 A.D. ) left a garrison there. The position of the castle became very important at the crusade period , where in 1119
they built this castle and called it ( Saon ) and in 1188 Saladdin succeeded in capturing it , and remained in Muslim hands.
ST.SIMEON :
The hermit St.Simeon born in 390 A.D. and settled here in 412 . After several attempts at monastic life he obtained permission to live on the top of a pillar, he lived on the column for nearly 40 years surrounded by pilgrims and died in 459 A.D.. The basilica was built at the end of the 5th Century , shortly after his death.
RESAFA :
The original name of the city is “ SERGIOPOLIS “ after the martyr of St. Serge ( Sergios ) in 297 A.D. under Deoclinian.The town assumed the name of Anastassiopolis ( 491 – 518 A.D. ) from the Byzantine Emperor Anastassius . The Omayyad Caliph Hisham ( 724 – 743 A.D. ) restored its walls and Cisterns and built a fine Palace . Famous for its North gate, the Baptistery, the Basilica of St. Serge , the enclosure walls and the water Cisterns.
UGARIT :
In 16th Century B.C. it was an apogee in Culture, Diplomacy, Administration, religion and Economy . Its brilliant invention was the world’s first Alphabet. The 30 letter inscription on a finger size clay tablet soon revolutionized human knowledge and became the basis of western alphabets.
Aleppo :
Mentioned in the Hittite documents of 2nd millennium B.C. It was the center of Yamhad Kingdom, and now Aleppo is the biggest commercial and industrial center in the middle east . the most interesting sites are : The Great Mosque ( the Omayyad Mosque of Aleppo ) The Citadel, the Museum, the Bazaars , and the Medressas of Koran .
(DOURA EUROPOS ( SALHIE
The town of Nicanor, was founded in the Seleucid period , The name of Doura comes from Assyrian DUR ( fortress ) , Europos is the name of the active town of Seleucus in Macedonia , it was under the rule of Partheans. At the 2nd Century A.D. it was occupied by the Palmyreans, but in the 3rd Century it fell into the hands of the Cassanids ( 255 A.D. ) . Apart from the fortifications, which are Hellenestic , all the ancient remains that have been discovered are of Palmyreans , Partheans and Roman style. The most important sites are : Palmyra Gate, the tower and the Temple of the Palmyrean Gods, The temple of Artemis, The Synagogue which has been reconstituted in Damascus Museum.
EBLA ( TELL MARDIKH ):
Had been mentioned in earlier Sumerian and Akkadian inscription of the 3rd Millennium B.C. as a powerful city with the population of 30000 inhabitants . It was destroyed by Sargon and Naram-Sin of Akkad in 2250 B.C. Later the city regained its independence at the time of King Ibbit – Lim in 2000 B.C. . In 1850 B.C. thecity became a vassal of Aleppo till the time of Hammorabi of Babylon. Famous for its Ramparts with four monumental gates , the Acropolis, the Temples, the Royal Palace ( 2400 – 2250 B.C. ) where about 15000 cuneiform tablets were found written in Sumerian and Eblaite tongue.
DEIREZZOR :
( The Monastery of Groves ) in the ancient Auzara , Zor refers to the attenuated groves of Tamarisk or shrub that follow the course of the Euphrates River . famous for its bridge across the Euphrates River which has a fine view of the River.
( MARI ( TAL AL HARIRI
Going back to 3100 – 2900 B.C. , occupied by the Akkadeans ( 2700 B.C. ) at the time of the kind Ikon- Shamash , later on at the time of Hammorabi ( 1790 – 1750 B.C. ) Mari had its own dynasty. The most important sites are : Temples of Lions, Dagon , Nini zaza , Ishtar , ( the Goddess of fertility and war ) . The Sanctuary of Shamash , the Royal Palace ( 2000 B.C. ) where Thousands of cuneiform tablets has found.
RAQQA :
It was founded by Alexander the Great ( 333 B.C. ) . During the Arab period at the 8th Century A.D. Raqqa was re-built by the Abbasside Caliph Haroun al Rashid as a summer residence , as he built a palace called Qasr al Salam ( the Palace of Peace ) . The most important sites are : The Gate of Baghdad and the wall of the city , The Mosque of Noureddin and the Royal Palace.
