Syria tourist attractions-The Northern Region
The Northern Region
Ebla: (tai Mardikh-Idleb) Founded in the fifth millennium BC. It is located 25 km southeast of Idlib. The site is of great importance as numerous archaeological discoveries have been made and excavations have revealed a very ancient Syrian civilization, that of Ebla, which flourished in the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. A library containing more than 17,000 clay tablets was discovered in the palace of this great kingdom. These tablets are the first written documents in Syria.
Saint Simeon the Stylite: this citadel is 60 km northwest of Aleppo. It is named after the hermit Saint Simon (Sam'an), a shepherd from northern Syria, who became a monk after a revelation in a dream. After the death of Saint Simeon in the year 459, Emperor Zeno ordered the construction of a cathedral where the saint prayed. Four basilicas, arranged in the shape of a cross, open in an octagon covered by a dome, in the center of which was the holy column. It is a beautiful church built on the top of the hill where Saint Simon had taken up his “residence.” Simplicity and harmony mixed to make the ruins.
of the Basilica of Saint Simon, a masterpiece of pre-Islamic art in Syria (an earthquake destroyed parts of the church). This church is considered the first and largest of all the cathedrals that were built in Europe over a period of three centuries.
Aleppo: One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in history. Aleppo has been a flourishing city, with a unique strategic position that gave it a distinctive role from the days of the Akkadian and Amorite kingdoms to modern times. It was the meeting point of several important northern trade routes. This allowed Aleppo to be the commercial link between Mesopotamia, the fertile Crescent, and Egypt. The Amorites made it their capital in the 18th century BC.
Aleppo Citadel: 50m above the city, a ring of crenellated walls and towers rises from a steep glacis, surrounding a mass of ruins from every era. It has always been extremely important, both strategically and militarily. The fortified entrance to the citadel is a wonderful example of Arab military architecture. The main parts of the citadel are: The throne room, the bath, the small mosque and the great mosque.
built in 1213 whose square minaret is 21 m high and from where you can see a splendid view of the city,
Souks: Aleppo's covered souks stretch for more than 10 km. The souks are named after various crafts: from there we find the gold souk, the cooper's souk, the cotton souk. Most of these souks date back to the 15th century. They are living museums that represent medieval life.
