Salaheddin castle

The origin of Saone is very ancient, it goes back to the time of Alexander the great 333 B.C.. The position of the castle became very important at the Crusaders period, and in 1188 Salaheddin succedded in capturing it and remaind in Moslems hands since then.

 Seidnaya

It goes back to the time of Justenian, the Byzantine empire 547 A.D., the most important part of the monastery is a chapel containing a miraculous icon of the Virgin, drawn by st  Luk.

Shahba (Philpoplis)

The ancient Philipopolis founded by Philip the arab 232-237 A.D, famous for its theatre, Tetrapyle and the ancient Roman baths and the mosaic museum.

 Baalbeck

It's called the sun city, 85Km from Beirut, it's the largest Roman archeological site in the district Bacchus temple is considered one of the most beautiful temples and the best preserved in the world.
In addition the juppiter Temple where you can see six pillars left out it's original 54 pillars of a par style.

It is one of the largest Roman Temples left.
There are some ancient buildings which date to the Islamic period, these building included the grand Mosque and another mosque from mameluke days, near Ras al ein spring which irrigates Baalbeckand it's orchards.

Sweida

Is the chief town of Jabal al Arab, it was occupied by the Nabateans in the 1st century B.C. then by the Romans. The city is famous for its nice museum.
 

Hama

Hama (Hammatha) was a capital of a Syro-Hittie Kingdom and had a strong fortress, at 11th century B.C. .It occupied by Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. the city is famous for its museum and the Norias (wooden water wheels).

Tabqa

Tabqa (Al Thawra) is a modern city on the Euphrate Dam, the long of the Dam is 4500m., the width of the base is 512m, and 19m from the top, it irrigates 640.000 Hectars, and it formed a lake of 85km long and 8 kms width, the Dam can generate 2,5 Milliards K.V.A. by 8 Generators.

 Tartous (tartosa)

Is a small town on the Mediterranean which holds an important place in the history of Christian Syria. It is located on the sea shore, facing the Phoenician Island Arados (Arwad) and it was the main port of Crusaders.

Homs

Famous during the Roman time under the name Emesa, then captured by the arabs in 636 A.D. The great mosque which contains the Mausoleum of the arab conqueror of Syria Khaled ibn al Walid is very famous.

Dora euripus

Was founded in the Seleucid period 400 B.C. by Seleucus Necator (312-280 B.C.), it became under the rule of Parthians. In the 2nd century A.D. it was occupied by a Palmyrean garrison. The most important sites are: the Rampart, Palmyra Gate, the Tower and Temples of Palmyrean Gods, the Temple of Artemis, the Citadel and Synagogue which has been reconstituted in Damascus Museum.

Mari

Going back to the period of Jamdet Naser (3100-2900 B.C.), occupied by the Akkadeans (2700 B.C.), by Sargon (2400 B.C.), by his grandson Naram-Sin (2320-2284 B.C.), by the Amorites (19 cent.) and at the days of Hammourabi (1792-1750 B.C.) Mari had its own dinasty. the most important sites are : the Temples, the royal palace (2000 B.C.) where 25000 of cuneiform tablets were found.

Marqab castle

The castle was built by Moslems in 1062 A.D., later in 1186 A.D. it was captured by the knights Hospitallers but after the capture of Krak des Chevaliers the Hospitallers had to abandon all the territories the fortress surroundered and its defenders retired to Sultan Qalaun who repaired it and installed a strong garrison.

St. Simeon

The hermit St. Simeon the setillite, born in 390 A.D. and settled here in 412 A.D after several attempts at monastic life, he lived on the column for nearly 30 years surrounded by pilgrims, and dead in 459 A.D. The Basilica was built at the end of the 5th century, shortly after his death. Four Basilicas are arranged in the shape of a cross with an octagon at the center where the base of his pillar still seen till now .