Syria - Ancient villages of Northern Syria

"Ancient villages of Northern Syria (Syrian Arab Republic). Some 40 villages grouped in eight parks situated in north-western Syria provide remarkable testimony to rural life in late Antiquity and during the Byzantine period. Abandoned in the 8th to 10th centuries, the villages, which date from the 1st to 7th centuries, feature a remarkably well preserved landscape and the architectural remains of dwellings, pagan temples, churches, cisterns, bathhouses etc. The relict cultural landscape of the villages also constitutes an important illustration of the transition from the ancient pagan world of the Roman Empire to Byzantine Christianity. Vestiges illustrating hydraulic techniques, protective walls and Roman agricultural plot plans furthermore offer testimony to the inhabitants’ mastery of agricultural production." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Simeon Citadel, Syria. Thanks to Grete of UK who visited here.

Postcard 1 - Simeon Citadel Facade and Entrance

Postcard 2 - Aerial view of Simeon Citadel

Syria - Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din

"These two castles represent the most significant examples illustrating the exchange of influences and documenting the evolution of fortified architecture in the Near East during the time of the Crusades (11th - 13th centuries). The Crac des Chevaliers was built by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1142 to 1271. With further construction by the Mamluks in the late 13th century, it ranks among the best-preserved examples of the Crusader castles. The Qal’at Salah El-Din, Fortress of Saladin, even though partly in ruins, represents an outstanding example of this type of fortification, both in terms of the quality of construction and the survival of historical stratigraphy. It retains features from its Byzantine beginnings in the 10th century, the Frankish transformations in the late 12th century and fortifications added by the Ayyubid dynasty, late 12th to mid-13th century.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Four great postcards of Crac de Chevaliers. Thanks to Grete of UK who visited here.

Postcard 1 - Aerial view of Crac de Chevaliers

Postcard 2 - Northern eastern facade of Crac des Chevaliers

Postcard 3 - Aqueduct to citadel in southwest of Crac des Chevaliers

Postcard 4 - Southern side of citadel of Crac des Chevaliers

Postcard 5 - Panaroma view of Crac des Chevaliers

Syria - Site of Palmyra

"An oasis in the Syrian desert, north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Three nice postcards of Palymra from Grete of UK who visited Palmyra, Syria.

Postcard 1 - Baalshamin's Temple of Palmyra

Postcard 2 - Bel's Temple of Palmyra

Postcard 3 - Three Brothers Grave, Palmyra

Postcard 4

The ruins of Palmyra - Tadmor which was a thriving oasis caravan trading city. Thanks to Farah of Egypt who was visiting.

Postcard 5

An archaelogical UNESCO World Heritag in Syria - the Site of Palmyra showing the "straight road", 1250 m long and 11 m wide.

Syria - Ancient City of Damascus

"Founded in the 3rd millennium B.C., Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. In the Middle Ages, it was the centre of a flourishing craft industry, specializing in swords and lace. The city has some 125 monuments from different periods of its history – one of the most spectacular is the 8th-century Great Mosque of the Umayyads, built on the site of an Assyrian sanctuary." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Omayad Mosque of Damascus built in 705 AD. Thanks to Farah of Egypt who was visiting.






Postcard 2
Azem Palace, Damascus, Syria. This is a postcard that I have received a long time ago before I started to collect postcards. Thanks to Tamin for sending me this postcard.

Syria - Ancient City of Aleppo

"Located at the crossroads of several trade routes from the 2nd millennium B.C., Aleppo was ruled successively by the Hittites, Assyrians, Arabs, Mongols, Mamelukes and Ottomans. The 13th-century citadel, 12th-century Great Mosque and various 17th-century madrasas, palaces, caravanserais and hammams all form part of the city's cohesive, unique urban fabric, now threatened by overpopulation.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

The Aleppo Citadel located on the top of the mound in the middle of Aleppo city is one of the oldest and largest castle in the world. What an amazing aerial view. Thanks to Farah of Rgypt who was visiting Syria.

Syria - Ancient City of Bosra

"Bosra, once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, was an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mecca. A magnificent 2nd-century Roman theatre, early Christian ruins and several mosques are found within its great walls." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Roman amphitheatre of the 2nd century of Bosra. Thanks to Farah of Egypt who was visiting.






Postcard 2
Archaleogical ruins of Bosra.