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ثقافة سوريا و التّراث القديم في تورونتو

Syrian Cities

Damascus - (Dimashq) the capital of Syria, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.   The earliest reference to the city appeared in the Ebla tablets, confirming the existence of Damascus in the third millennium BC.   Damascus is filled with ancient landmarks, evidence of the many eras and peoples who have inhabited it throughout history.  The ancient wall that surrounds the old city was built during the Roman era.  The wall consists of seven gates (Bab).  They are, Bab al-Faradis, Bab al-Faraj, Bab al-Jabieh, Bab al-Saghir, Bab al-Salam, Bab Kisan, Bab Sharqi & Bab Tuma.

Within the old city walls and gates is a labyrinth of streets where some of Syria's most fascinating attractions are located.  The Umayyad Mosque was built on a site that has been a place of worship for over three millennia.   Its chameleonic biography reflecting the monumental shifts in the history of the city.  In the center of the marble covered courtyard the modern ablution fountain is considered the midpoint between Istanbul and Mecca.   If entering from the Minaret of the Bride, you can see the fountain in the center the marvelous Treasury to the right and the Dome of the Clocks to the left.  The other Minarets are Minaret of Qayt Bey and Minaret of Jesus.  Past the fountain, is the remarkable Prayer Hall and Dome of the mosque.   Within the mosque there is a lavish marble monument that commemorates the legendary burial site of the head of John the Baptist. 

Other attractions in the old city include the Tomb of Saladin, and the Azem Palace (National Museum of Popular Arts and Tradition).  Damascus is well known for its covered souks (markets) built during the Ottoman period.   The most important and popular is Souk al-Hamaidiye.  Other souks include, Souk Madhat Pasha, Souk al-Harir and Souk al-Bzourieh.  Each specializes in a particular craft or type of merchandise; such as brocade, embroideries, glass, copper works, silver, gold, and spices.  Other popular sites within the old city, include Hamam al-Noury (public bath), St. Pauls Church, The Greek Orthodox Church and Dar Anbar.   Many fine restaurants and cafés are located in the old city.

Damascus is also a very modern and contemporary capital.  The capital relies on the Barada River and its fertilizing waters that supply the Ghouta, a vast area of fields and orchards which supplies Damascus with much of its food. 

To the north-west is Jabal Qassioun, whose summit reaches 1,150 m.   These higher parts of the city are extremely attractive.  The district of Al Mouhajarine, bounded to the south by Abu Rahmany Street and Nazem Pacha Street, is an exceptional area, where many luxurious homes and villas face the splendid panoramic view of Damascus.

The Umayyades Square marks the entrance to the city from the west.   The Beirut-Damascus Highway and the Qanaytra Motorway, both converge here.  The Sheraton Towers, Al-Assad Library, and Tishreen Park can be found within this square.  To the left there is a residential and administrative quarter serving as a center for many foreign embassies and government facilities.  Traveling east towards the city, the Choukry Kouwalty Avenue is bordered on the left by the Lé Meridien Hotel.   The hotel is conveniently located to the Damascus International Fair, University of Damascus, National Museum, and bus station.

Moving closer to the city the Choukry Kouwalty Avenue ends at a crossroads of streets, crowded with taxis, buses and commuters.  On the right is al-Jabry Blvd., straight ahead is Al-Ithad Street and to the left is Port Said Street.

From here, on the right (near the Hotel Semiramis) the al-Jabry Blvd. begins.  Here you can find the General Post Office, Syrian Air Flight Office, and the Hedjaz Train Station.   To the left is the Port Said Blvd., which becomes the 29 May Blvd., ending at the 17 of April Square, facing the Central Bank.  Nearby is the Youssef al-Azmeh Square and in this area you can find the Cham Palace Hotel, travel agencies, many International Airline Offices, and Ministries of Syria.   Continuing on Kouwalty Avenue, now al-Ithad Street, make a right on Yousef al-Azmeh and you will come to Sahat al-Marje (Martyrs Square).  Here you will find the Ministry of the Interior.  There are also many fine hotels, bookstores, libraries, restaurants and cafés in this area.

Next to Damascus, Aleppo (Halab) is the second largest city in Syria.  Aleppo has a population comparable to Damascus.  Aleppo has a distinct charm and incomparable history, it is also very modern and has all the plush amenities a traveler is in search for.   Aleppo, has an international airport and is accessible, via train with other cities and countries.  See Maps for locations and distances.

Aleppo claims to be the oldest oldest inhabited settlement on earth.  The earliest mentions of the city are recorded on stone tablets found at Mari, on the Syrian Euphrates, which date back to 2000 BC.  From this time onwards, Aleppo was the capital of succession of prosperous city states, governed by the Amorites, the Hittites, the Assyrians, the Persians, and after 333 BC, by the Seleucid dynasty, founded by one of Alexander the Great's general who named the city Boroia.  Other settlements included the Roman and Byzantine era. 

The importance of the city grew after the Arab invasion of Syria, during the seventh century.  During this time the Great Mosque was built by the Umayyad dynasty, and the city was fortified by the Great Citadel.   The Citadel has a long been the center of the city and a pillar to the city's strength and longevity.  The Citadel is perched on a steep mound and is the most visible city landmark.  During the Middle Ages, the city saw renewed prosperity for traders as a stopping ground on the Silk Road stretching from the Mediterranean to China. 

Other attractions to the city of Aleppo include, the National Museum, the Museum of Popular Tradition, its markets (souks), the Great Mosque which is one of the largest mosques in the world, its Hamams (public bath houses) and the Baron Hotel.  The Baron Hotel has seen the likes of US President Theodore Roosevelt, Aviator Charles Lindbergh, Kemal Attaturk (founder of Turkey), Lady Louis Mountbatten, author Agatha Christie and her archaeologist husband Sir Max Mallowan.  None more famous than T.E. Lawrence of Arabia, whose rooms are available. 

Around Aleppo - Not far from Aleppo are several ruins dating to late-Roman and Byzantine times, collectively called the Dead Cities.   To the northwest of Aleppo is the most famous Dead City Qalaat Semaan.   It is named after St. Simeon Stylites a monk who in the 5th century chained himself to a rock and perched himself there for 38 years.  He would preach twice a day and offer advice to people coming from far away.  After his death in 459 AD the largest church at that time was built in his honor.

Other Dead Cities to the northwest of Aleppo include Cyrrhus, Ain Dara.  To the west is Harim, and Qalb Lozeh, to the southwest is Idleb, Ebla and Maarat al-Numan which is comprised of Maarat al-Numan, Bara (al-Kafr), Serjilla, and Ruweiha. 

Idleb and Ebla are the better known attraction cities in the area.  Idleb boasts an excellent museum and hotel making a trip there worth while.  Not far from here is Ebla, whose history dates back to 2400 BC.  Fifteen thousand clay tablets, showing the first alphabet and signs of international trade were unearthed in the 1970's opening a new chapter in the history of civilization.

Homs - Is the third largest city in Syria and is located 160 km north of Damascus.  It is strategically located between Damascus and Aleppo and is not far from Hama to the north, Palmyra to the southeast, and the coast to the west.  See Maps for locations and distances.

An industrial city in the fertile Orontes River (al-Assi) Valley, Homs was once the ancient city of Emesa, which held a temple to the sun god Elagabal (it's alleged to be where high priest Heliogabalus became emperor of Rome).  Homs is now known for its silk goods.  Prime attractions of Homs are the Khalid Ibn Al-Walid Great Mosque and the ruins of the underground monastery and chapel of the Syrian Aramain Church.  Other attractions include the Citadel, Al Nouri Mosque, Kaneesat Um Zummar, Kaneesat Mar Elian the ancient souks and the cities proximity of the formidable Medieval castle Krak Des Chevaliers (Qalaat al-Hosn). 

Homs is an ancient city dating back to the year 2300 B.C. it contains a number of installations and castles, but  earthquakes had destroyed most of the historical landmarks.  Only the remains of one citadel built above a rocky hill south of the city with two gates and a wall remained intact.  The two gates are: Bab Sham (Damascus) and the Bab Palmyra.

The most  important historical building in the city is the mosque and tomb of the Arab Moslem leader Khaled Bin Al-Walid who  lived in Homs for the last seven years of his life.  This building is distinguished by its metal dome which reflects sunshine.  It is also famous for its two  high minarets and narrow galleries built with black and white stones in a horizontal manner.  Another mosque in the city Al-Nouri Mosque, which dates back to the twelfth century.  

There is also the Kaneesat Um Zummar church which was named after a piece of cloth said to have belonged to the Virgin Mary that was found underneath the alter during renovations in the 1950's.  Another church in the area is Kaneesat Mar Elian church which also had discovered beautiful wall paintings and mosaic in the 1970's during renovations.  It  also contains Arab and Greek scripts dating back to the twelfth century AD and even as far back as the sixth century.

Between Homs and Tartus, the Krak Des Chevaliers (Qalaat al-Hosn) is the most important castle of the middle ages.  It is located 65 km west of Homs and reaches a summit of 750 meters above sea level. The castle controls a strategic passage called the Homs gap in the Orontes Valley.  The castle was erected covers an area of 3 hectares and has 13 towers containing a number of halls, stores, passages, stables and bridges. 

Around Homs - Other places of interest around Homs, include al-Rastan, Meshta al-Helu (Resort Town), Mar Jourjous (Monastery of St. George), Wadi al-Nasara (collection of Christian villages surrounding Qalaat al-Hosn), al-Mishrefeh and Lake Qattina.

Hama - Is situated 140 km south of Aleppo and 47 km north of Homs.  See Maps for locations and distances.

Hama has a history that dates back to 2,000 BC and has long been a crossroads between the Mediterranean and the East.  Evidence of human settlement here dates back to around 1100 BC when the small kingdom of Hamath was ruled from the citadel hill.   During the Selucid the city renamed Epiphania became an administrative center of minor importance, a function which continued through the Roman and Byzantine eras. 

Hama has many distinctive features, the two most prominent features is its citadel and its ancient Norias (waterwheels).  The Norias have been scooping water from the Orontes River (Nahr al-Assi - Assi means Rebel, since the river runss northwards) and pouring it into irrigation canals.  The groaning sound of the Norias adds a certain mystique to this ancient city.  The sounds are quite relaxing and soothing to the mind. 

Hama is a very clean and conservative town where modern buildings meet the ancient past.   Attractions include Azem Palace which served as the Governor's residence during the Ottoman Empire.  Nearby is the An-Nuri Mosque which was built for the uncle of Saladin, Nur al-Din.

In the Al-Madina quarter of the city, you will find the Citadel surrounded by parks and river-side gardens.  The Great Mosque constructed by the Umayyed dynasty is also located here.  Close by is the Orthodox Church. 

Around Hama - The Roman ruins of Apamea (Afimia) is 60 km northwest of Hama.  Apamea was founded around 300 BC by Seleucus, ruler of northern Syria and Mesopotamia following the death of Alexander the Great and named after his Persian wife.  This trading town connected Latakia and Palmyra.  Besides the Roman ruins Qalaat Mudiq is also an impressive site.  Later in its history Apamea became and important stopping point for pilgrims from from Istanbul to Mecca. 

Other sites of interest near Hama are Qalaat Burzey, Misyaf, Al-Baida, Deir Solieb, Qalaat Shmaimis, Qasr ibn Warden and Anderin, S'kalbiey and Mhardeh.

Hama has Muhrajan al-Rabi (Spring Festival) in April where the local customs and traditions are displayed throughout the city.  This annual event is always a good time to visit Hama and its sourrounding areas.

Latakia - Is Syria’s main sea-port on the Mediterranean.  It lies 186 km southwest of Aleppo, 348 km northwest of Damascus. It has retained its importance since ancient times. 

Though there is evidence to suggest continuous settlement here stretching back to 1000 BC, Latakia only came to prominence in the wake of Alexander the Great's conquest, when is was transformed into a major city of the Seleucid empire.   Renamed in honour of Loadicea, the mother of Alexander the Great's general Seleucus I Nicator, it developed into an important port and becoming the main supplier of wine to the Hellenistic period.  The town was briefly declared capital of Syria in the late second century AD by Septimius Severus.  Devastating earthquakes in 494 and 555 badly damaged Latakia, but was rebuilt by Justinian before being seized by the invading Arab army in 638.  After being captured by the Crusaders in 1097, the town oscillated between Muslim and Christian control for nearly a century, until it was retaken by Saladin in 1188. 

Some attractions in the city include a museum, that was an old Ottoman khan which served as the governor's residence during the French mandate.  The museum houses some interesting examples of pottery, glassware, clay tablets from nearby Ugarit, and contemporary paintings.  Another attraction to the city is a Roman gateway (Tetraparticus) that consists of four columns. 

The Syrian seashore is about 182 km long and its numerous beaches are distinguished by soft sand, unpolluted sea, moderate climate and clear blue skies.  The Blue Beach of Latakia is the most popular beach on the Eastern Mediterranean.   Water-skiing, jet-skiing, and windsurfing are popular activities in this resort town.  Nearby are two hotels, the Cham Cote d'Azur Hotel and Lé Merdien Latakia Hotel.

The Syrian coast consists of long stretches of beaches and green mountains.  These mountains are mostly covered with pine and oak trees, and their slopes touch the shore.   This landscape repeats itself from Ras Al-Basit in the north to Tartus in the south. On the mountains, villages and towns are scattered, with springs of clear mineral water.

Surrounding attractions, include Ugarit at Ras Shamra, Qalaat Saladin - a formidable castle that has been well preserved, Slunfeh, Kassab and Ras al-Bassit. 

Tartus - is Syria's second most important coast after Latakia.  It is roughly 90 km from Homs, 251 km from Damascus, 105 km from Hama, and 90 km from Latakia.  See Map for distances between cities.

Tartus was founded by the Phoenician colony on Arwad and remained an important settlement through the Hellenistic and Roman times.  It became a major Christian stronghold and during the fourth century a chapel but was built here which is claimed to be the first dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  An Earthquake in 487 AD largely destroyed the chapel but a miracle left its alter miraculously unscathed.  Later the city and cathedral were attacked by Saladin forces but the Knights Templars defended the fortified city and it prevailed to be a Crusader town until 1291. 

Besides the Cathedral, other attractions include the old city and a city wall that preserves the beauty of the old city.  The beaches and water are clean, and the accommodations are excellent.  There are many hotels and restaurants in the area.  

Just 3 km off the coast of Tartus is Syria's only island Arwad.  It was an independent kingdom named Aradus in the days of the Canaanites.   It was often mentioned in inscriptions because of its importance in commerce and seafaring.  Arwad provided shelter for those escaping from foreign invasions in ancient times, especially for the people of Amrit in the south of Tartus. Amrit still retains its name since the 5th century BC.  It has a temple surrounded by water.  Arwad is a beautiful, small island, with a mass of houses and fortresses and narrow lanes.  It has many cafes and restaurants overlooking Tartus and the sea.   Its ancient citadel was used as a prison for the nationalists during the resistance against the French.  The walls of some cells in this citadel are still covered with the writings of the nationalists.

Other nearby attractions include Baniyas, Qalaat Yahmur, Qalaat Areimeh, Draykish, Qalaat Kadmous, Amrit, Safita, Crac des Chevaliers, Meshta al-Helu, and the Monastery of St. George.

History of Syria

h the advent of the third millennium, Syrian antiquities and unearthed finds will be shown to the world in a roving exhibition. The exhibition will be held under the title "Syria: Land of Civilizations."

The chairman of the Syrian antiquities and museums department, Dr. Ali Abu Assaf, said in statements to the local media that the exhibition will be opened at the beginning of November in Switzerland and will later on move to Canada and the United States, respectively.

He added that the exhibition contains some 551 antiquities representing the most remarkable archaeological finds discovered in Syria in the past and the present.

The exhibition sheds light on the different aspects of the human civilizations that have flourished in Syria since prehistory and the role of these civilizations in contributing to human advancement.

Dr. Abu Assaf commented that one of the main objectives of the exhibition is to acquaint foreigners with the history and deeply-rooted civilizations in Syria.

"Syria is probably the finest example you can see of many cultures on the same land succeeding one after another," said Francois Tremblay of Canada’s Musee de la Civilization de Quebec, which has been the driving force in working with Syria to organize the tour.

"You really have an overview of different cultures, from the very early stages of civilization up to the present," Tremblay told Reuters in the artifact-cluttered basement of Damascus Museum while photographing the final selection of treasures for the exhibition catalog. "Syria was an easy choice."

The collection is spectacular. Although chosen to illustrate themes in civilization rather than purely for their artistic merit, individual pieces are likely to stagger Western audiences unprepared for Syria’s cultural heritage.

A figure with a gold lion’s head and wings of solid lapis lazuli was excavated at Mari on the Euphrates River nearly 5,000 years after it had arrived as a gift from Ur in Mesopotamia. The refinement of Roman times is demonstrated by a silver helmet and a solid gold mask, both excavated near the city of Homs.

Syria is at the center of the Fertile Crescent, the arc of well-watered land reaching from Mesopotamia in present-day Iraq to Egypt where agriculture began 10,000 years ago.

That pivotal position, often falling under the sway of empires at either end of the Fertile Crescent, has left Syria with an unparalleled archaeological record.

Early city states like Mari rose and fell, the Assyrian, Egyptian and Hittite empires battled for control, Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilizations dotted the land with cities. The Arab invasion of the seventh century produced masterpieces of Islamic religious and military architecture.

Syria was the ideal focus for an exhibition centered on themes in human development: the organization of society, economy and spiritual life. It covers Syrian contributions—such as the first alphabet—until the Crusades, a suitable end because that invasion re-acquainted Europe with its own cultural roots in the Middle East.

"At the dawn of the new millennium we are trying to reflect on the rules of civilization and the best way is to look at the very early stage and ask ourselves ‘What heritage will we leave to our descendants for the next millennium?"’ said Tremblay.

The exhibition will open in Basel, Switzerland, and then move to Quebec from May 30, 2000, to Jan. 7, 2001. It then moves to Edmonton and on to the United States in June 2001: San Jose until September, New York’s American Museum of Natural History from October to January and Denver until May 5, 2002.

There have been other Syrian exhibitions abroad, though not organized along such thematic lines. And none has included all the items seen this time—and none is likely to in the future.

"Many of the artifacts that have been loaned by Syrian authorities have never been out of Syria," said Tremblay. "And many of them will be on tour for the last time because they are now planning to renew many of their own galleries and these major artifacts will after this stay in Syria."

Excerpts from this article were taken from an article by Jack Redden of Reuters News Service and Nando Media in February 1999 and from Arabicnews.com on September 28, 1999.

Syria - An Ancient Pearl

Syria played an incomparable role in the history of mankind.   It is often described as the Cradle of Civilizations, since many of the greatest human achievements that later spread to encompass the world had their beginnings in Ancient Syria, (which extends from Taurus Mountains to Sinai and from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates). 

In this land, Man discovered the secrets of Agriculture and Metallurgy, and invented the very first alphabet.  Religions, Philosophies, language of trade, systems of urban development, of diplomatic and cultural exchange; all these germinated in geographical Syria.

It has been rightly said,
"Therefore, that every cultured man belongs to two nations: his own and Syria."  Historian Andre Parrot.

The Heart of The Arab World

Syria was an Arab Kingdom long before the Arabs achieved glory with the coming of Islam, and has long been the home of Arab Nationalism. Before becoming, under the Omayyads, the capital of the Muslim World had for fifteen centuries spoken and written a language which consists of modern Arabic. Today Damascus prides herself, together with Aleppo and Hama, on being the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.  Such roots give the country stability. Moreover, they lend her her important qualities, a certain wisdom in the face of current events no matter how dramatic, and a respect for all people.

The visitor from abroad, struck by the wholly Arab context of Syrian life, baffled by its novelty perhaps, at first, is soon entranced both by the hospitality, kindliness and friendliness of a people both masters in their own house and masters of themselves as well. Syria, so much a linguistically, historically, and politically, is a country of great natural diversity. This contrast between cultural unity and varied landscape is ideal for tourism.  The visitor to Syria can follow an unbroken thread on the human level, in the arts and in folklore, while at the same time enjoying a constant change of scene which makes even the longest journey interesting.