Rabiaa (ربيعة) is a minor site of mostly Byzantine-era remains located between the more substantial sites of Serjilla (سرجلا) and Shinshirah (شنشراح) in the southern portion of the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) region. Rabiaa (ربيعة) was later occupied during the Crusader and early Islamic periods, though there is minimal evidence of this. There is an interesting stone carved monument to the west of the main cluster of ruins. The other …
Bauda (بعودا) is a small Byzantine site conveniently located on the side of the road between the two major sites of al-Bara (البارة) and Serjilla (سرجلا). As such, it is easily added to most itineraries when visiting the area. The site includes a small but wonderfully well preserved pyramid tomb in the southwest corner of the site, similar to one of the smaller tombs in al-Bara (البارة). There …
Ruweiha (رويحة) is characterized by an interesting combination of Roman and Byzantine remains that include numerous tombs of varying architectural styles, two large churches, and several villas built on a very large scale. The site is one of the more unique and impressive sites in the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) region. Most of the town dates from the fifth and sixth centuries, …
Farkiya (فركيا), similar to nearby Meghara (مغارة), is the site of several well preserved Roman tombs located on the northern end of a modern village. The most impressive is a small rock-cut tomb with incredibly rich stone carvings on both the interior and exterior facade. Other tombs at the site were designed with arched canopies over the entryway to the rock-cut burial chambers. Just south of the modern …
Meghara (مغارة) is the site of several well preserved Roman tombs located on the outskirts of a modern village. The tombs were particularly rich in statuary and painted decoration, some of which is still visible today. One tomb has an elaborate external facade, but the others are more austere on the exterior with far more detail within the burial chambers. Getting There: The site …
Scattered Byzantine ruins can be found throughout the modern village of Deir Sinbol (دير سنبل), in the eastern side of the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) region. The most well preserved remains are of moderately sized villas. There was once a large church at the site, but little remains of it today. It is a fairly minor site overall, but warrants brief …
With two sizable and well preserved villas and a few other scattered ruins, Dellozeh (دللوزة) is one of the more remote Byzantine sites in the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) region. Visitors will likely have the entire site to themselves, with only a couple families living in the area tending to the scattered olive tree groves. The site is located in the …
While not particularly well-preserved or extensive, the Byzantine site of Wadi Martahun (وادي مرتحون) is quite impressive for its dramatic setting, constructed on a rocky mountain gorge. The site has numerous villas that were built on the steep slopes overlooking a dry stream bed. The most well-preserved Byzantine-era structures are on the southern portion of the site. On the northern side of the ravine are numerous man-made …
Majliya (مجليا) is an extensive Byzantine-era site on the outskirts of al-Bara (البارة) in the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) region. The ruins are scattered over a fairly large area between olive groves and wild vegetation and include a church and several large villas. While a not a major site, it is located in close proximity to al-Bara (البارة) and Serjilla (سرجلا), and could easily be combined with a visit to …
Batrasa (بترسا) is an interesting site with several large Byzantine-era villas in the Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) region. The ruins are scattered over a fairly large area between olive groves and wild vegetation. While a minor site, it is located in close proximity to al-Bara (البارة) and Serjilla (سرجلا), and could easily be combined with a visit to those more significant sites. Allow thirty minutes to an hour to …
