Tourism

General Information
More Information
Distance between the Syrian Cities
Flag and Anthem

Syrian Cities

Southern Provinces

Damascus
Historical Spots of Damascus
Damascus Province

Mid-West Provinces

Homs
Palmyra
Hama
Apamea
Syrian Coast
Summer resorts
Historical Spots

North-Eastern Provinces

Aleppo
Raqa
Deir Ezzor

PLACES OF INTEREST TO THE VISITOR

-Ma'alula:

This famous village is some 56 km from Damascus, and is situated at an altitude of more than 1500 metres.Its little houses cling to the face of an enormous rock, they look suspended in mid-air.There are two monasteries here; Saint Sergius and Saint Taqla's.The inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ.Two neighbouring villages, Jaba'din and Naj'a also speak the same language.The word Ma'lula means 'entrance' in Aramaic.

• -Seydnaya:

Some 30 km from Damascus, the village is spread out over a hilltop, and is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. It has a famous monastery founded in 547, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.The name of the village itself, 'Seyda Naya'in Syriac means 'Our Lady'
The monastery contains a portrait of the Virgin believed to have been painted by St.Luke.

• Sayda Zaynab Shrine:

Located some 10 km to the south of Damascus. The interior is covered with decorations in silver and gold, ornate windows and lavish chandeliers. The shrine attracts hundreds of pilgrims daily from various countries, who come to pay tribute to the Prophet's grand-daughter, the daughter of the Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb.

SUMMER RESORTS AND RECREATION SPOTS:

• Zabadani - Bludan

A summer resort some 45 km north of Damascus, 1175 m above sea-level. It overlooks the plain of Zabadani, a fertile land with thousands of fruit trees bearing delicious apples, cherries, plums, peaches, and pears.The source of the river Barada is in this plain and it supplies Damascus with water, and irrigates the Ghuta around the city.The source of the river forms a little lake which is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and play-grounds.
Many Damascenes, however, prefer another nearby resort, Bludan, which spreads over the mountain overlooking Zabadani, at 1500 m above sea-level. It is cooler here and the scenery is particularly impressive, especially at sunset.
Recreation spots near Damascus are numerous and varied.In the western Ghuta on the banks of the river Barada, you will find hundreds of them concealed under the shade of popular and willow trees.
The main resting-spots in this valley are:Ein al-Fijeh, Ein al-Khadra, Basseemeh, al-Ashrafieh, al-Hameh, and al-Rabweh.The eastern Ghuta, where the International Airport is located, is also a most attractive part of Damascus environs. It is full of fruit orchards with apricots, peach, apple, and pear trees.

IMPORTANT SITES IN SOUTHERN PROVINCES

• Bosra (Dara'a Province):

Located in the vast Hawran plain, some 145 km south of Damascus.It is an extremely ancient city mentioned in the lists of Tutmose III and Akhenaten in the fourteenth century B.C. The first Nabatean city in the second century B.C., it bore the name Buhora, but during the Hellenistic period, it was known by the name of Bustra.Later the Romans took an active interest in the city, and at the time of the Eperor Trajan it was made the capital of the Province of Arabia (in 106 B.C) and was called Neatrajana Bustra. The city saw its greatest period of prosperity and expansion then, became a crossroads on the caravan routes and the official seat and residence of the Imperial Legate.

After the decline of the Roman Empire, Bosra played a significant role in the history of early Christianity. It was also linked to the rise of Islam, when a Nestorian monk called Bahira, who lived in the city, met the young Muhammad when his caravan stopped at Bosra, and predicted his prophetic vocation and the faith he was going to initiate.

The most interesting part of the city today is the famous Roman theatre built in the second century A.C., which seats 15 thousand spectators, and is considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved of Roman amphitheatres in the world.
Every summer, it hosts Arab and international performers who entertain audiences during the Bosra Art Festival against a majestic background of Roman columns and arches.

• Shahba (Sweida province):

In the Jabal al-Arab region 90 km south-east of Damascus. Shahba stands in an oasis of orchards and vineyards. Renowned as the birthplace of the Syrian Emperor Philip who ruled the Roman Empire between 144 and 149 A.D. To honour him, the city bore the name Philipopolis during the Roman period. He took a personal interest in the city, planned it after the Roman style, built numerous palaces and temples in it, erected triumphal arches and public baths, a theatre and a great wall surrounding it. He is said to have wanted to turn Shahba into a replica of Rome itself.
Also : Salkhad , Tel Shehab, Qanawat ...

• Sweida

Situated some 90 km south-east of Damascus, it is well-known for its plentiful vineyards. It stands 1100 m above sea-level, and was known by the name of Suwada (little black town) in the Nabatean period, because it was built with black volcanic stone.The Romans, in the 3rd century, considered it one of the most important towns in the Province of Arabia and called it Dionysus.
Ruins of ancient civilisations are numerous but widely scattered; some of the most notable of these, along with a collection of exquisite mosaics discovered in 1962, are now housed in the Sweida museum. One part of this mosaic collection represents Artemis, godless of chastity and the hunt, surrounded by her nymphs when she is surprised by a hunter while bathing. This fine Roman work dates back to the sixth century. Another scene portrays the birth of Venus and the wedding of Thetis. Statues carved in hard basalt show signs of a mixture of Nabatean, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab influences.
There area also the ruins of a 3rd century Roman temple surrounded by a colonnade of Corinthian columns.