SAINT-JACQUES CONVENT

After several years of restoration work, a community of sisters, sisters of the unity of Antioch, lived there since January 2000. Ask to meet with French sister who will be pleased to visit this moving, historic place.

The visit begins first with the oldest piece. According to the dating of the wood on the door (juniper), this piece dates back over 2 000 years. In fact, this Christian sanctuary was first a pagan temple dedicated to the moon.

Then we go through a small little door to enter the church that would be one of the oldest in Syria. Its semicircular apse was on two floors. Inside, gradually after restoration, the frescoes are returned. Left was a mill. One enters the unique nave with two stone arches. The soil dating from the Middle ages has been restored.

On the walls, frescoes in pieces depicting the life of Christ are visible. The bottom of the tower is Roman times. The rest has been completely renovated. She was certainly a watchtower. Finally, the crypt, which was a place of refuge during the massacres of the th century under Baïbar and the th century under the Ottomans. According to the legend, two survivors of the massacre perpetuated in the th century escaped through a tunnel leading to the church of Saint-Nicolas today the Great mosque.

To conclude the tour of Qara, mark a stop at the Grande Mosque (Jaamea al-Kabir). Go down the main street 300 m from the church and turn right. This is actually an ancient cathedral converted into a mosque.

The façade also shows the Byzantine origins of the building.

Déchausser before entering, women must take a veil. Good example of small small town mosque, filled with carpets. The ancient capitals decorate the two mihrab.