The remains of al-Breij (البريج), formerly the Monastery of Saint Daniel, are located on the eastern end of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). This Byzantine-era monastery is in a surprisingly good state of preservation. The main building is inserted into the cliff face, the first story being cut out of the rock and the stone used to build the upper two stories. The complex of three buildings …
The Byzantine site of Sarfud (صرفود) is spread out over rocky hills north of the road linking the town of Sarmada (سرمدا) with Kafr Darian (كفر دلريان) at the base of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). While the remains at the top of the hill (southern portion of the site) are badly ruined, there are several isolated towers to the northern end of the settlement that are of interest. …
Baqirha (باقرحا), situated on the northern edge of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا) and overlooking the Plain of Amuq (to the east of Antioch), is arguably the most interesting archaeological site on this mountain range. Baqirha (باقرحا) has remains from both the Roman and Byzantine periods, including the best preserved Roman temple in the northwest of Syria. The Roman temple, whose surprisingly intact remains stand on the southern edge …
The single Byzantine church of Deirouni (ديروني) is located between the sites of Baqirha (باقرحا) and Deir Qeita (دير قيتا) on the northeastern edge of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). The church is particularly interesting for its elaborate stone-carved decoration around the windows. The church probably belonged to a larger monastery complex at the site. Getting There: There are two ways to approach Deirouni (ديروني). The preferred option is to combine …
Deir Qeita (دير قيتا) is one of several Byzantine-era sites on the northeastern edge of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). The site contains the remains of several villas and churches, some of which are quite well-preserved. The facade of the main church is in particularly good condition. Being close to several other sites in the northern part of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا), including the important site of Baqirha (باقرحا), makes Deir …
The Byzantine-era site of Babisqa (بابسقا) is spread throughout a modern village on the northeastern edge of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). The site contains the remains of several villas and churches, some of which are quite well-preserved. One of the most intricately carved stone doorways of the Byzantine ruins in the limestone massif can also be found here. Being close to several other sites in the northern part …
Bauda (بعودا) 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 …
The Byzantine-era ruins of Dahis (داحس) extend over a considerable area situated on the crest of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا), and not far from the site of Bamuqa (باموقا). Archaeologist George Tchalenko compares its economic base to its north neighbor. Intensive agricultural exploitation dates from the first century AD, like Bamuqa (باموقا), taking advantage of an arable zone of 2,000 hectares. Its main period of prosperity, too, was in the …
Bashkuh (باشكوح) is a minor Byzantine-era site located on a hilltop to the southwest of Bamuqa (باموقا). The ruins cover a fairly large area and include multiple villas and churches, some of which are in fairly good states of preservation. One of the churches has a basilica plan and dates to the fifth century. Like most other Byzantine sites in the region, the economy of Bashkuh (باشكوح) relied heavily on …
Deir Seita (دير سيتا) is Byzantine-era site in the remote southern portion of Jebel Barisha (جبل باريشا). The ruins are spread around a modern village and are in a generally poor state of preservation. Remains include a small church and a few domestic buildings scattered between olive groves. The countryside scenery is nice, but the archaeological remains are modest and not particularly noteworthy. Getting There: Getting …
