Things to see and do Coastline & Orontes River

Beautiful rooms from prehistoric times. Very good explanatory panels. Finally, a masterpiece of ancient art dated the end of the th century. The Mosaïque mosaic was discovered in a villa in the town of Mariamin in Jebel Ansarié. Six women are represented playing musical instruments (castanets, flute, organ, rattlesnakes). A unique document on the music of the time.

The Azem Palace is located on the left bank of the Orontes near the city centre, facing the public garden. There is a small street passing under the aqueduct of one of the major norias. Built by the same governor (Azem Pasha) as the palace of Damascus, he is not equal.

Its dimensions, its plane at levels and its escapement on the Orontes make it a magnificent th century building.

We first enter the haremlik encombré of ancient sculptures, where the iwan faces a fountain under a magnolia. This yard serves the stables and warehouses, which are now housed in the museum. On the floor you can discover the most noble part of the haremlik, preceded by a magnificent portico. Three rooms in T are served by a room under cupola. In contrast to the portico, rooms present a wax museum in the beautiful furniture (painted wood, meubles-impregnated furniture…). It illustrates the astonishing wealth of costumes in the region.

Down on the ground floor, we won the small hammam of the palace where scenes reconstruct the animation of the bath. We then win the salemlik as the haremlik on two floors. The ground floor was reserved for the service.

On the floor the reception rooms are open, with some original ornamentations.

The principle is simple: It is about raising the water through the current to water the gardens that dominate the bed of the river. Large wooden wheels with buckets turn like mills at the rhythm of the river. Become at the top of her noria, water is discharged into a stone channel that leads her to gentle slope as far as possible from the shores without any human effort. Man must, however, build and maintain these large wooden wheels that water and current gradually use.

The wood grinding, the runoff of the excess water, the fine rain worn by the wind have an unforgettable charm. The higher the wheel, the more striking the effect is.

The city centre has a beautiful group of norias near the public garden. But the most imposing group, the "four norias", is located in the east, 1 km from the river. La Noria is located downstream of the citadel. Its 21 m diameter is the highest in Hama. It dates back to the th century.

If you visit the theatre, you should not miss entering the Great Mosque in the same park. It contains the tomb of the Afghan Sultan Ibrahim, who died in 778, who abandoned his throne to end his days in faith and charity in Djéblé. The large prayer room, with the low vaults under many domes, is particularly austere.

The only vestige of a very rich history, the theatre of Djéblé makes it possible to appreciate the importance of the city in Roman times. With the same diameter as the one in Palmyra (90 m), it could accommodate nearly 7 000 spectators on three floors of stands. Only the first two floors (11 and 12 rows) are well preserved. Built in flat ground, like that of Overnight, the hemicycle is supported by a powerful dome system which can still be done. It is difficult to get an idea of the quality of the decor, so the scene is in poor condition. Nevertheless, the remaining remains show a real concern for detail and care for the choice of imported materials, such as granite and marble.

Beyond the surprising gap is, we move towards the entrance of the castle which is now on one of the south towers. It's reached by a gentle slope ramp that runs three of the towers of the cross circle, the beautiful pin device. The bastion crossed the three towers from the inside to arrive at a recently cleaned and decorated courtyard. This court serves the main franques constructions: écuries, dungeon and poterne. The latter, surrounded by two towers, had a drawbridge based on the ditch of the ditch.

In front of the main entrance, Arab constructions are discovered: a mosque and steam bath as well as a tank of impressive proportions (10 m depth 32 m in length).

Gap. The gap on arrival is particularly spectacular. Dug on the rock over a length of 156 m, it allowed to cut the castle of the plateau which continues to the east and thus perfect the defence of the site. Only a needle that supports the drawbridge was spared by the crusaders. Monumental, it forms a curious 28 m high monolith. In the age of dens and explosives, it is hard to imagine what such a puncture was supposed to be in the th century. Near the parking lot, there is a large room, probably used as a prison, and, in front of it, the remains of an identifiable stable with mounts for mounts that are pierced by the wall.

The Byzantine fort, in the state of ruin, is not visiting. By circumventing it, a shop is housed in a two-storey Carolingian defence. From there, you can reach the low yard. It is from the lower town that the troops of Saladin could enter the citadel. By moving towards the exit, we go to a Byzantine chapel.

Stables. A nearly square room, 32 m apart, consisting of five naves defined by four rows of pillars, was the fortress stables. They were equipped with drinking water. The south side of the room is equipped with a tank that is reached by one of the towers of the enclosure.

The dungeon. Crossing the threshold, we reach a large room at the centre of which an imposing square pillar pillar supports a ceiling vaulted ceiling. Archères atténuent slightly the darkness of the places. The same provision is found on the floor, which is reached by stairs on the north side. Access to the terrace, by the same dark and steep staircase, makes it possible to enjoy an admirable view of the 24 m of the dungeon. Two of the ancient Byzantine walls stand in the way of the court.

This is the same dungeon as the vanquished crusaders were able to leave free, with a ransom set at 10 dinars for men, 5 dinars for women and 2 dinars for children.

Mosque and hammam. Unlike other cross fortresses taken by Muslims (Marqab, Krak des Chevaliers), the mosque was not installed in a disused chapel. Dated the period of Sultan Qalaoon by the mention of the low door of the mighty square minaret, she complemented a set of buildings including a palace. The latter has an entrance made up of three spherical niches to mouqarnas, and a bande of geometric web. The palace was equipped with a modern hammam. A central courtyard, composed of four iwan (open quadrangular vaulted room on the courtyard of some mosques) with central fountain, serves bathrooms, which still have their pipes and beautiful coloured marble plates.

Unfortunately, the service is inefficient, though nice.

Around the acropolis, in tight islets, extended several quarters of dwellings and workshops. Lapidary and Goldsmiths worked for the fortune and reputation of Ugarit.

Designed on a plane relatively similar to that of the Royal Palace, the residences of the rich Ougaritains offered the particularity of hosting both the living and their deceased ancestors. An opening to the ground of a small piece of each house allowed to win the burial chamber by a stair of stairs. The most beautiful example of this joint arrangement at most of the major residences is located in the house of Rapanou, which is a town of the city, whose neighbour, a Dénommé, was responsible for the Ugarit market. The houses have delivered various, often very luxurious, objects of local, foreign, or even imitation bills such as Egyptian beetles and ivories.

In the northeast of the tell, dominating the city, the acropolis presented to its visitors two main temples, one dedicated to Baal, the other to Dagon. These massive buildings were visible from the port. Today, from these anonymous ruins, you can see the nearby sea and the view to the Hotel Méridien. Ships'anchors were raised to the sanctuary of Baal, the god of the storm. Offerings were devoted to him, sometimes so that his anger did not trigger storms that were harmful to navigation, sometimes to plead the rain necessary for cultures.

As indicated in the Dagon temple stelas, shared between the Louvre and the Aleppo Museum, animals were sacrificed to this god in honour of the dead. In the house, known as the Magician-Magician, south of the acropolis, many livers of clay animals were found. Prêtres priests, called aruspices, examined the entrailles of the victims and animals to draw predictions.

The site's guarded entrance allows access to the threshold of the Royal Palace of Ugarit, composed of a multitude of two- or three-tier chutes, and combined over its two hundred years of existence. Panels indicate the function of each of them. The Royal Palace was so richly decorated and furnished that its fame had come to the ears of pharaoh Amenhotep III. The official entry was decorated with two columns whose base of the drums is still visible. On the left, a library housed a large collection of shelves. In contrast, a large dallée courtyard (the main palace) had a well at the south-west corner and a water system.

In the east of this court, many exhibits were located in the administrative centre of the city (offices, archives) and funeral facilities. Finally, a large garden agrémentait everything.

In the north and south of the Royal Palace, several buildings have been discovered, without the need to determine the precise use of them: the northern palace, at the central courtyard with bitumen coated with bitumen (left, in the main street), certainly abandoned well before the destruction of Ugarit; the large building that faces it and whose exceptional burial cellar was established some years ago; finally, the small palace (in the south), which also houses a cave.

From the numerous fortifications known to Ugarit, the western section is best preserved, with its square tower which protected the palace and its backdoor (poterne) which allowed access. The glacis is particularly tilted: These remains were probably more used during the final Fire of Ugarit. It then came directly to the palace by a ramp that is no longer visible.

The. Tablettes, the military art and the currencies of the Lattakia museum are not looking for masterpieces. Most of the excavations are exhibited either at the Damascus museum or at the Aleppo Museum. Here the main interest lies in the place itself (a former caravanserai to the beautiful vaults), whose upper floor, built under the French mandate, housed the governor of the state of the Alawi. The large number of columns of columns crammed into a corner of the garden betrays the importance of Lattakia in antiquity. The garden of the museum is a pleasant break in the midst of lush vegetation, the only possible green stop to Lattakia without gardens.

The museum's rooms are located on the ground Floor and do not hesitate to push the wooden doors that give them access.

Two mosques deserve a visit: the Great Mosque () al-Dawla Street) from the beginning of the th century, and not far away the Al-Jadid Mosque (Maleki Street) of the th century, raised by Soulayman Pasha, the uncle of the Bâtisseur Palace of Damascus.

The large Greek Orthodox community in the city surrounds its churches with special care. The one dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Filasteen Street) has a beautiful marble decorated iconostasis (th century). St. Nicholas Church, Mayssaloun Street, houses a collection of th and th century Syrian icons as well as an ebony throne (th century). See also the Latin Church, the oldest in the city, only look, the interior has been completely renovated (open from to every day, at the corner of Yarmouk and Baghdad streets.)

An interesting museum that brings together collections from various eras, prehistoric, classical and Muslim.

The large, almost square courtyard of the khan serves long galleries that house a collection of mosaics, stelas and sarcophagi of Apamea and its region. Built by the Ottomans, this caravanserai served as accommodation for pilgrims on the road to Mecca. Among the hosting steps that remain in Syria, it is certainly the most impressive. The chimneys of the galleries are there to remind you of the severity of winter. The courtyard also houses a large arlon collection.

Past the door door, a visit will be carried out clockwise. By entering left in the first gallery, you will discover two beautiful mosaics among the beautiful collection of the museum.

Socrates and the sages (basement of the eastern Cathedral, circa 362 m. ). Socrates, in the centre, dominates an assembly of six other important but unidentified characters. This mosaic reveals the presence in Apamea of a traditional school of néoplatonicienne philosophy.

The judgment of the Néréïdes (basement of the Cathedral of the East, approx. ). The scene depicts a beauty contest between Néréïdes and Thétis on the one hand, Cassiopeia on the other. Cassiopeia, naked, on the far right, wins the competition. She receives the crown from a victory. Each character is légendé in Greek.

The mosaics come from the site of Huarte, 15 km north of Apamea. See in this part, the long panel which consists of two distinct scenes. Three compositions depicting two lions and a lion fighting their prey, and a man leading two mules with a stretcher.

The hotel was very clean and the room was clean. Offers maps of the region and city.

We come to Safita for its dungeon, located at the entrance of the city, in height. If you come to a minibus, ask the driver to leave you nearest (nothing serves to go down to the terminus of the garaj ', 15 min walk lower). Here it is called «Al-Bourg». Apart from the hours of worship, you need to be opened (key to the restaurant next door).

Already visible from Tartous, Safita is the nearest cross-fortress of the krak. The first fortress was largely destroyed by Noureddin. The Templar, who were responsible for the security of the Tartous region, were planning to rebuild it. The current dungeon probably dates from this reconstruction, or even a little later, when work was undertaken after the earthquake in 1202.

On the way to the krak, the sultan mameluke Baïbars took off the fortress in 1271. Since Tartous, the master of the Templar ordered his evacuation.

The fortress consisted of a double enclosure, the second of which covered the dungeon. Here and there, fortification remains are built into cobbled streets, for free diving in the Middle Ages. The massive appearance of this rectangular tower (27 m high, 17 m wide) is reinforced by the absence of exterior decoration. As a defence book, its ground floor was devoted, as is today, to worship. The castle chapel has a single nave. The apse is supplemented with two small sacristies.

To access the top of the dungeon, enter the chapel and take the stairs right on the right. After a series of high marches, passage through the beautiful vaulted weapons room that housed the garrison in the event of a retreat. Two naves are separated by three cross pillars that receive the benefits of curved edges. The room is lit by four bays.

Continue climbing to arrive on the terrace from where the view in clear time is particularly extensive. Beautiful vision of the city's tile roofs and the surrounding fruit cultures. The Knights'Krak is only 15 km away from the bird. The Knights were contacted by lighting fires. The system of travellers'pigeons, the invention of the Arabs, was then unknown to franj troops.

From the dungeon you can get down to the city centre by a very picturesque shopping street. The garaj is located completely at the bottom of the city.

To complete the visit of Safita. The ruined enclosures of Arima (Qal Areimeh), 15 km southwest of Safita, testify to the quality work of Franks in the region. It is said that Noureddin, having captured the fortress master, Bertrand de Toulouse, married his sister and had a son. Albatross Rouge (Qal Yahmour), another fortress located 20 km west of Safita and only the 15 m dungeon remains intact, complemented the cross device. Thanks to their proximity, the three sites communicated by signals.

These two buildings are difficult to find, so it is better to avoid wasting too much time asking for the path very often.

The massive wall wall consists of 14 round or square towers, one of which, the tower of the Eperon at the southern end of the castle, exhibits a monumental inscription of white marble. From this turn, the bulk of the forces led by the successor of Baïbars in 1265.

You enter the castle through the tower tower, located in the west. This well-preserved construction has a beautiful vaulted entrance which leads to the right, in the central courtyard (or superior court).

The collective life of the soldiers'soldiers of the order of the Hospital was organized around that court. You will find the chapel, the dungeon and several beautiful rooms. The chapel, a small gem of cross architecture, was built in Gothic style in 1186.

Before entering, the look looks at the portal in limestone, with rich mouldings and elegant skid. The portal to the west is almost identical. On both sides of the choir there are two small sacristies; in that directed to the north still traces some traces of mural paintings (six saints). The mihrab was also excavated in the south wall of the chapel from the Muslim occupation. From the main portal, the eyes embrace the nearby sea. The tower, a massive 21 m tall construction, houses a large room. A ruined staircase allows access to its summit where the view is stunning. Attached to the dungeon and served by the same staircase, a large building houses several rooms, which will be visited more easily using a torch lamp. In the west of this whole, there are two buildings with two floors of vaulted rooms. On the left of the chapel there are home-made premises, one of which still contains two bread kilns (the castle could have up to five years of food). You can walk along the wall wall whose towers offer beautiful prospects on the coast or hinterland.