2024

WADI BARADA GORGE

Natural site to discover

Set in the attic, you will discover a majestic set of dormant rocks where a set of Roman necropolises was cut into rock. Climb on the left where some kinds of pipes were drawn in stone. Then take the different stairs to take a look at the funeral rooms also dug in the rock. Finally, in the same region, sometimes along the road, it is possible to see individual sarcophagi.

Ain el-Fijé (25 km from Damascus) has a vauclusienne source of 8 m 3 per second on average. What to provide much of the water consumed in Damascus. The ruins of a Roman temple indicate the seniority of the cult dedicated to this source which determines the very existence of the capital.

Haut (51 km, 30 000 inhabitants) is the main town. Expanding between two rows of arid mountains, this beautiful plateau is covered with fruit trees and gardens at the foot of modern pavilions. The official source of the Barada is near a small artificial lake, which is reached by road on the left, 5 km before arriving at, centre. The boats are waiting for visitors for a small tour, a very popular leisure on Fridays.

A few kilometers away, we arrive, through a winding road, in the big village (57 km, 3 000 inhabitants) in the recent buildings perched at 1 500 m altitude. The rich Damascènes come to look for freshness and calm in the summer. In winter, mountains are dressed in white. It's then the chance to see the kids making snow battles or even seeing cars go down in Damascus by proudly wearing a bonhomme on their hood.

Not far from there (at the exit of Bloudan, asking for the path), the source of Boukein provides the country with mineral water. Boukein bottles sell to Homs, then the Dreikishe takes over.

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