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HOMS
Homs is at an altitudes of 495m above the
sea level, and at a distance of 160km north of Damascus. It lies mid-way
between Damascus and Aleppo.
Homs has very great importance due to its
economic and strategic position in the middle of the various Syrian
regions. Its history is a very long one, as witnessed by the many caves
and catombs found beneath it. Since 2300BC. Amorites, Hittites, Assyrians
and Caldaneans have passed there. A cave found at tell Aboul Saboun
Contains the tombs of the members of local
Arab family during the roman period, the family of Shamsjaram. Homs is the
birthplace of Roman Empresses Julia Domna and Julia Mammaea and the
philosopher Longinus.
It remained a very important town under the
Arabs and Muslims, as witnessed by the important remains of Umayyad,
Abbasid, Seleucid, Ayoubiete, Mamluk and ottoman periods. .
Here are it is seven gates and high lying
citadel. Violent earth- quakes have, however, destroyed completely many of
its ancient monuments,
Mosque and tomb of Khaled Ben Al-walid
(the Arab Conqueror):
This monument has been rebuilt during the
Ottoman period; it features a huge metal –covered dome, two slim and tall
minarets, and courtyards lined with alternative strips of white and black
stones according to ancient Syrian architectural style.
Other important mosques are the Great Sufi
Mosque and Nuri Mosque.
Homs Museum:
Contains many architectural finds from the
Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Muslim periods, such as ceramic
and glass wares mosaic panels etc
St. George Convent:
It lies at about 70km west of Homs, near
the Qala’at alhosun (Crack des Chevaliers). It contains many beautiful old
icons.
Among the most famous churches in Homs
itself are the Church of Marlion of Homs, which features beautiful wall
paintings from the XIIth century AD. And Oum Al-Zennar Church, which
contains what, is believed to be a belt worn by the Virgin Mary
Crack Des Chevaliers (Qala’at Al-hosun):
It lies at the top of a steep hill, at an
altitude of 650m above sea level, and at a distance of 65km east of Homs,
and 75km south west of Tartous. It is one of the finest, best [reserved
and; largest examples of middle ages fortified castles. Its built area
covers more than three hectars and occupies a strategic position on the
easiest passage from the coast to the interior of Syria. Its military
architecture is outstanding with high solid walls thirteen towers,
advanced fortifications, drawbridges, beautiful suspended gate, and secret
tunnels leading to the countryside. It was capable of housing two thousand
knights with their retainers and of holding supplies sufficient fir five
years.
It seems that its strategic position
prompted the construction of forts there since the most ancient times.
Bebore the Crusaders, there was a fort there known as the Kurds fort, the
Crusaders occupied it, rebuilt it on a large scale and it has been known
ever since as the Crack des Chevaliers (in Arabic ‘ Qal’aat al-Hosn”)
Al-Rastan:
Al-Rastan was the main town of a local Arab
dynasty, the Shamsjaram family, at the end of the Hellenistic period and
the beginning of the Roman period. A mosaic panel found there shows its
important bridge on the Orontes River. Other finds include a tomb engraved
with scenes from the Torjan War and another tomb engraved with hunting
scenes by Meleager and Diana.
Qatneh:
At 18 km northeast of Homs. This sit is
known as the “ kingdom of Qtneh” and contains the remains of the extensive
military fortifications.
Qattineh Lake:
It is located in the immediate neighborhood
if Homs, to the southwest, and has a water area of about 60km2. The Orontes River thanks to a dam constructed in the second millennium BC
forms it. And thus it is perhaps the oldest man-made lake in the world. It
irrigates around 200 thousand hectares of land and is famous for its
delicious fishes. Nearby lies an archeological tell known as “Nabi Qadesh
Tell” believed to be the ground of the famous battle of Ladesh by which
the Egyptian Pharao Ramsis II stopped the Hittite advance in Syria during
the XIIIth Century BC.
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