Homs, Syria
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Homs is the third most important city in Syria. It lies
160 km to the north of Damascus. Like Petra and Palmyra, Homs; which was
called Mesa in ancient times; was an Arab emirate in the 2nd century BC.
It was also the third station on the Silk route after Dura Europos and
Palmyra.
Unfortunately, ancient earthquakes destroyed many buildings
and citadels in Homs. There remains only one citadel in the south of the
city with its Damascus and Palmyra gates.
This historical city produced many impressive personalities.
Bassianos (an emir of Homs), through his daughter's marriage to the Roman
emperor, Septimium Severus, who ruled Rome from 193 to 211 AD, sired three
rulers, Caracalla, Heliogabalus and Alexander Severus. The city was the
birthplace of the famous Syrian philosopher, Longenius, counselor to Queen
Zenobia, and of the famous physician, Marlian.
Among the most significant historic constructions remaining
in Homs is the mosque of Khalid ibn Al-Walid, the great commander of the
Muslim Arab armies. Two very tall white-stone minarets lend lightness
to the imposing structure. The slender colonnade in black and white stone
in horizontal rows is representative of traditional Syrian architecture.
Many churches still stand in Homs from the days of early
Christianity in Syria. One of these churches is said to possess the girdle
of the Blessed Virgin. The church of St. Elian is unique for its collection
of fine frescoes discovered in 1970. These bear inscriptions in Greek
and Arabic, and date back to the end of the 12th century.
The Nuri mosque also dates back to the 12th century, distinguished
for its beautiful entrance.
In Homs museum, there are many archaeological artifacts
dating back to the ancient Syrian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Arab eras.
The Qattina lake is 15 km from Homs, it is rich in fish,
and has the first rainwater dam used in agriculture which dates back to
the 2nd millennium BC. Close to this lake is the archaeological hill called
Tel Ennabi Mand (Qadesh), where a historic battle took place between the
Hittites and the Egyptians in the 13th century BC. |
