Homs:
Krak des Chevaliers
Is located in a strategic point between the Desert and the coast in a break between the mountains known as the Homs gap. It is an industrial city and Syria's most important oil-refining center. It is also a main center for sugar refining and has a plant for treating phosphates, one of Syria's largest exported products, mined in Palmyra. This city is very close to Tartous Syria's second port, and to the northern Lebanese border near Tripoli. It is also the usual stop for passengers traveling the long Aleppo-Damascus route.
Homs does not offer much to tourists, as it has always been an industrial city. Although excursions to the crusader castle, Krak des Chevaliers and other sites are available from here.
Historical Sites of Homs
Homs does not offer much to tourists, as it has always been an industrial city. Although excursions to the crusader castle, Krak des Chevaliers and other sites are available from here.
Historical Sites of Homs
- Great Mosque of Al Nuri :This mosque is said to stand on the site of the Temple of Baal, and a later Church of St. John. The columns used in this mosque are of the oldest objects in this city.
- Mosque of Khaled Ibn Al-Walid: The Ottoman style mosque was built directly before the First World War and holds the tomb of the great Muslim leader Khaled Ibn Al Walid.
- Church of Umm Al Zunnar (the Virgin's Girdle) : In 1953 a textile belt was found here under the altar, it is said to have belonged to the Virgin Mary. The current building only dates back to the 19th century but a 4th Century Church used to be on this site and it is believed that the textile belt was placed here.
Palmyra:
Palmyra ( The capital of the desert)
In the middle of the Syrian Desert is without doubt the most beautiful and magnificent of the Syrian historic sites, Palmyra. This Arab commercial metropolis, which has now turned pink with age, used to be on the old Silk Road.
History of Palmyra:
Called Tadmor by the Arabs, Palmyra appeared for the first time in the 2nd millennium BC in the archives of Mari and in an Assyrian text. It was also mentioned in the Bible as a part of Solomon's territory.The Seleucids practically ignored Tadmor and it became independent. It flourished through trade with Persia, the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula. In 41 BC it had become rich enough to attract the Romans and Anthony attempted to occupy it but failed because of the Palmyreans escaping to the other side of the Euphrates.
What to Visit in Palmyra:
- Temple of Bel
- Colonnaded Street and Public Buildings
- Diocletian Camp
- Temple of Baal Shamin
- Valley of the Tombs
- Fakhredin Al Maany Castle
- Palmyra Museum
Hama:
wooden waterwheels, Hama
47 Km north of Homs, is the beautiful city of Hama. Using the Orontes River as its cooling system and the Orontes valley for greenery, Hama was always very picturesque. Hama is also the center of Syria's steel and iron industries.
The most interesting feature in Hama, are the Norias (wooden waterwheels), and having a drink or lunch at the restaurant on the riverside is a popular pastime.
The most interesting feature in Hama, are the Norias (wooden waterwheels), and having a drink or lunch at the restaurant on the riverside is a popular pastime.
Afamia:
Afamia
Known as Pharnake before the conquest of Alexander the Great, it became one of the most beautiful cities of the Hellenistic Orient.
Taken over by Seleucos Nicator, a lieutenant of the great Macedonian conqueror, it became one of the three main cities of the Seleucid Empire. With Antioch on the Orontes and Seleucia on the Tigris this Empire spread from the Mediterranean to the Indus valley. Later on Pompey attached it to the Roman Empire, this era and the following Byzantine era is to what Apamea owes its current beauty.
Taken over by Seleucos Nicator, a lieutenant of the great Macedonian conqueror, it became one of the three main cities of the Seleucid Empire. With Antioch on the Orontes and Seleucia on the Tigris this Empire spread from the Mediterranean to the Indus valley. Later on Pompey attached it to the Roman Empire, this era and the following Byzantine era is to what Apamea owes its current beauty.