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 …
Jeradeh (جرادة) was a fairly extensive Byzantine settlement on the eastern edge of Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا), the ruins today spread throughout a modern village. Given its proximity to the desert to the east, which was beyond Byzantine control, the town appears to have been heavily fortified in comparison to other settlements located further west. The most interesting of the remains is the six-story watchtower which …
al-Dana (الدانا) is a modern village on far eastern edge of Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية) and Jebel Riha (جبل ريحا) which contains some remains of interest from the Byzantine period. Of particular note is the pyramid tomb, similar in style to those in al-Bara (البارة), found in northern section of the village. Other remains, probably domestic buildings, are scattered to the south. Within short walking distance …
Qasr al-Banat (قصر البنات) is a surprisingly well preserved Byzantine building to the north of al-Dana (الدانا). It is three floors, with the lower two levels on the south faced with a double portico in simple square columns. The style is unreservedly plain and severe. The plan resembles somewhat the monastery known as Deir Sobat in nearby al-Bara (البارة), but given the small scale of the …
Bashila (بشيلا) is a small Byzantine site in the southern portion of Jebel al-Zawiyeh (جبل الزاوية). The site has a particularly large and well preserved villa enclosed by a wall, along with several other smaller villas to the south. It does not appear that there was a church at this site, but it is within walking distance of several other settlements. While not worthwhile visiting on …
