Travel Guide Tartous

Upon opening the doors of the bus, an iodized perfume takes the nostrils and a moist air permeates the skin; no doubt the sea is nearby! A great charm emerges from the town of Tartous. It's not that its beaches are especially pleasant, the dirt is just as present as in Lattakia. But the old town, built in the ancient crusaders'citadel, its small fishing port with its auction, restaurants and cafés on the seafront gives the site a quasi-Mediterranean softness. We are not witnessing the unrest in the large urban centres in Syria.Yet the second port of Syria has 150 000 inhabitants. The modern city stretches along the routes leading to Lattakia, so that the old town does not seem to exist. The modern port, the second in Syria, is relegated to the north. A stop at Tartous cannot be imperative, but can book beautiful evenings fresh, in a soothing maritime atmosphere. Beware, this city in the growing economy is growing more and more concrete bars. Pity, because the port was lovely.Tartous is the starting point for several excursions. You can reach the island of Arwad nearby in just over 30 min of boat. Amrit, located 7 km away, allows to see phoenicians relics. Finally, a day excursion allows you to visit two of the most fantastic cross castles: Marqab, surplombe Surplombe, and Krak des Chevaliers on the Homs Road.This agglomeration, now much more important than Arwad, was founded by the Phoenicians on the island to serve as a continental port. It also draws its name from its situation to the island of Arwad (Anti-Aradous). Its development in both seleucid and Roman periods is linked to that of the island. Under the Byzantine, the pilgrims affluent to Tartous and come to pray in the church. According to the Christian tradition, this church would read an icon attributed to Saint Luke as well as a chapel built by Saint Peter in person in honour of the Virgin Mary.In 630, Tartous was conquered by Muslim troops, followed a few centuries later by the crusaders who, in 1101, gave it a fortress and a port. In 1152, Noureddin took off for some time in the city. A challenge of constant challenges between Franj and Arabs, the city is placed in the hands of the Templar, masters builders of the citadel after this episode, which will not remain without follow-up.The son of Noureddin, Saladin, follows the traces of his father and attacked Tartous in 1188, forcing the Templar to refuge in the only space left, the dungeon. Chronicle of a reign of reign announced: the great Raymond II of Toulouse was assassinated in this city symbol of the Carolingian conquest in 1212. In 1291, the Mameluk permanently hunted the crusaders who fled to Arwad and then to Cyprus twelve years later.We must wait until the th century for the port to be an important activity.