al-Mishrafeh (المشرفة), the ancient city of Qatna (قطنا), is one of the largest Bronze Age sites in Syria. Located between the city of Homs (حمص) and the town of Salamiyeh (سلمية), excavations here have resulted in important discoveries in recent decades. French archaeologist Robert du Mesnil du Buisson first researched the site in the 1920s, uncovering parts of the royal palace, three gates, and several …
Tel al-Hariri (تل الحريري), the ancient city of Mari (ماري), dates from as far back as the 5th millennium BC. The city first reached prominence around 2900 BC, and went through numerous periods of prosperity and decline until it was finally destroyed in 1759 BC. It was rediscovered in 1933, during the French mandate period, and archaeologists from the Lourve in Paris were quick to …
The fascinating temple of Ain Dara (عين دارة), located northwest of Aleppo (حلب) near the Kurdish town of Afrin (عفرين), is an incredible example of religious architecture from the Hittite period. The temple, constructed on a hill overlooking the Afrin River valley, is one of the best preserved of the Hittite sites in Syria. While the remains are modest in scale, the architectural style is …
Just outside the modern town of Meskaneh (مسكنة), on the shore of Lake Assad, are the remnants of the Bronze Age city of Emar and the subsequent Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab settlements that occupied the site. Surviving remains include Byzantine fortifications and a 13th century brick minaret that offers commanding views over the area. The ancient settlement of Emar was mentioned in the tablets …
Tel Mardikh (تل مرديخ), the ancient city of Ebla (ايبلا), is one of Syria’s most fascinating Bronze Age sites. Ebla (ايبلا) was first occupied over 5,000 years ago, with two separate periods of prosperity. It is most well known for the archaeological find of an archive of over 20,000 cuneiform tablets written in the Eblaite language (an early Semitic language closely related to Akkadian) using the Sumerian …
Jableh (جبلة) is a major coastal town about twenty five kilometers south of Lattakia (اللاذقية). Seldom visited by tourists, there is an impressive Roman amphitheater in the center of town along with one of the oldest mosques in the coastal region. On the outskirts of town, just north of the microbus station, is the bronze age archaeological site of Tel Tweini (تل تويني). Since Jableh (جبلة) …
Ras Shamra/Ugarit (رآس شمرا/آوغاريت) is one of the most important bronze age archaeological sites in Syria, and was the capital of a large kingdom that controlled much of the eastern Mediterranean coast. The Ugaritic language was one of the first to develop an alphabet, at around 1400 BC. There is debate as to whether the Ugaritic or Phoenician alphabet came first, and there is likely some …
Of the more developed beach resorts in Syria, the two small neighboring towns of Ras al-Basit & al-Badrusiyeh (رآس البسيط و البدروسية) are perhaps the nicest. Turquoise blue waters and mostly black sand beaches border the northern side of this peninsula, backed by lush vegetation. Bungalows for rent, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops line the main streets through these towns, which are practically empty and shut …
Ras Ibn Hani (رآس ابن هاني) is a peninsula north of Lattakia (اللاذقية) most well-known for its luxury hotels and beach homes. While the nicer beaches on the peninsula are owned by two hotels, there are a few other beaches pleasant enough to take a swim. The peninsula also has numerous restaurants. Ras Ibn Hani (رآس ابن هاني) is a busy vacation spot in the summer, but fairly quiet the …
