Some of the popular sights in Syria are the “Dead Cities.” These are ruins of Byzantine cities that had vibrant populations and were rich olive oil and wine producing areas. These cites were abandoned between 800 and 1100, due to changing trade routes after the expansion of Islam into the region. The large stony masonry work was impressive.
Basilica of St. Simeon (Qala’at Samaan) completed in 491, was the largest Christian church in the world at the time. St. Simeon was famous for spending 40 years atop of pillars up to 18m . After his death the church was erected around his pillar. Today the pillar is little more than a large boulder after being chipped away by pilgrims wanting keep sakes.
Along the way we visited the ruins of the temple of Ishtar, the Semitic goddess of fertility at Ain Dara, built in the 10th to 8th century BC. The temple has lion and sphinx decoration of black basalt which is unique to this mostly limestone area.
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