Bauda al-Shamaliyeh بعودا الشمالية
Bauda al-Shamaliyeh (بعودا الشمالية) is a Byzantine-era site located just a few kilometers from the Turkish border on the far northeastern edge of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). The site, which is also known as Khirbet al-Buweidhi (خربة البويضي), has an interesting collection of remains including several fairly well-preserved villas. While the remains are fairly minor, its proximity to several other sites of interest in the northern part of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا) make it worthwhile to visit.
Getting There: There are two ways to approach Bauda al-Shamaliyeh (بعودا الشمالية). The site is located less than a kilometer southeast of the entrance to the border crossing with Turkey known as Bab al-Hawa (باب الهوا). Traveling towards the border, a turn to the left (south) heads up the mountain towards the village of Babisqa (بابسقا). The ruins of Bauda al-Shamaliyeh (بعودا الشمالية) are up the hill on the left side of the road before the village. However, there is no public transportation this close to the border, aside from the buses actually crossing into Turkey. You may have to hire a driver or walk from the nearby town of Sarmada (سرمدا), about six kilometers to the southeast.
The preferred option is probably to combine a visit to Bauda al-Shamaliyeh (بعودا الشمالية) with other sites in the northeastern region of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). By beginning at the site of Baqirha (باقرحا), to the southwest, and proceeding from there northeast to the sites of Deirouni (ديروني), Deir Qeita (دير قيتا) and Babisqa (بابسقا) and finally Bauda al-Shamaliyeh (بعودا الشمالية), you can enjoy a full day of visiting archaeological sites and hiking almost entirely downhill. Any microbus traveling from Aleppo (حلب) to Harem (حارم) will pass by the road to these sites. After passing through the village of Sarmada (سرمدا) and beyond the ruins of al-Breij (البريج), the road will ascend a mountain peak to the village of Bashmishli (باشمشلي), also known as Ras al-Hosn (رآس الحصن). Immediately after this ascent, and before the village, the road will be on the right (north) side. The trip takes about 45 minutes from Aleppo (حلب). From this turn-off to Bauda al-Shamaliyeh (بعودا الشمالية) is about six kilometers.
Coordinates: 36°12’54.63″N / 36°41’51.14″E
Transliteration Variants: Baauda, Baouda, Baaouda
Rating: 3.5 / 10