Syria

Although today a metropolis with all the trappings of a modern capital, Damascus is also a place of great antiquity. Alongside Aleppo and many other cities in Syria and Lebanon, it lays claim to that much-disputed title of oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

Damascus in November 1981... ... and in October 2000

Tartus

Tartus is the home of the Mansour family and the birthplace of my grandfather on my mother's side. Hospitality, friendliness, charm, history and cuisine: you will find all that is Tartus! Tartus was established by the Phoenicians and called Antaradous, as a service base for the more secure Arwad Island some 3 km off-shore in the 3rd millennium BC. The emperor Constantine changed its name to Constantia, and the Crusaders renamed it Tortosa.

The Coast Boats depart from this harbor to go to nearby Arwad Island

Street vendors of delicious nuts Ath Thowra Avenue

Work begun on the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Tortosa (now used as a museum) in 1123 AD

Aleppo (Halab)

One of the many beautiful squares in Aleppo National Museum with statues dating from the 9th century BC

Entrance to the formidable Citadel View of the city from the top of the Citadel

The Great or Umayyad Mosque A huge variety of olives can be found in the souks

Palmyra (Tadmor)

Even as late as the 1920s, the journey to Palmyra was a long and arduous one taking as many as five days, requiring careful planning and usually carried out under an armed escort. The first written records concerning Palmyra date from the 2nd millennium. For centuries Palmyra has captured the imagination of travelers as the romantic "Caravan City" of Queen Zenobia. With the Roman annexation of the Nabatean Empire and their capital Petra in 106 AD, Palmyra became the prime choice as a trading post with strings of camels following the Silk Route to China.

Sheep give life to the otherwise empty desert

The Tower Tombs and over 50 underground tombs are Palmyra's most ancient monuments dating from the 1st century BC

The Cella in the Sanctuary of Bel, the greatest of Palmyrene gods

The Tetrapylon and the Main Market beside the Agora, with the Arab Castle on a 150-meter high mount in the background

The famous Theater

The Temple of Baal Shamin, with the Arab Castle built in the 17th century in the background

Sunset in Palmyra

The Colonnaded Street is over one kilometer long The Monumental Arch dates from the 2nd century AD

Homs (Emesa)

Since ancient times its midway location between Damascus and Aleppo, Palmyra and the Mediterranean, has made Homs a principal crossroad. Today it still plays a similar role as a crossing point for oil pipelines. In Homs is located an important oil refinery, many major factories and mills. We will be posting photos of beautiful Homs soon. Please read what I said about hospitality in the first paragraph of this page: you will find that in Homs!

Home Astronomy World Travel Running & Scuba Diving Other Interests Curriculum Vitae After-Thoughts