23 Can’t-Miss archaeological sites in Syria: Your Ultimate Guide
Join us on a journey to uncover Syria’s best-kept secrets with our list of 23 archaeological sites. Whether you’re looking to explore 23 amazing archaeological sites or discover the most famous and best 23 archaeological sites in Syria, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore Syria with our ultimate guide to 23 of the best archaeological sites, or uncover Syria’s hidden archaeological sites with 23 must-visit places. Get inspired and start planning your next adventure with our comprehensive list of the best destinations in Syria.
Information about Syria
Syria is located in the Middle East and West Asia in particular, and it is surrounded by Middle Eastern countries on all sides, as it is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Palestine, Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and it serves as a link between the countries of the East and the West, which gives it importance It is large in the Arab world, and Syria is considered one of the coastal countries in which the Mediterranean climate prevails, meaning that it enjoys a moderate and warm climate. It was also classified among one of the oldest sites of human civilizations, as it abounds with many antiquities dating back thousands of years, and was inhabited by many civilizations, empires, and human settlements throughout the ages, which contributed to the great diversity in it on the historical, cultural, and tourist levels at the same time. Syria is characterized by the low cost of tourism throughout the year, and it has been classified as one of the best tourist sites in the world.
A list of the best Archaeological sites in Syria
Get ready to explore the ultimate archaeological sites destinations in Syria with our carefully crafted list of top-rated spots. We’ve done the research for you, scouring the reviews of countless visitors to bring you the most unforgettable experiences. Let us be your guide.
1- Tower of Elahbel
Tower of Elahbel – The Al-Ahbel Tower (Al-Ahl) is located in the funerary area of the Kingdom of Palmyra (Valley of the Cemeteries). It is a sandstone tower and one of the other towers built outside the city walls. The height of this tower is about 4 meters, and it consists of 4 floors. This tower played an important role in the history of textiles. It also includes burials and some ancient stone statues. Tourists can go up to the fourth floor, but they have to be careful while going up.
Place address: Palmyra, Syria
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2- Royal Palace of Ugarit
Royal Palace of Ugarit – Ugarit is a royal palace with origins dating back to 7500 BC, and it is one of the important archaeological discoveries that sit on Ras Shamra hill in the city of Latakia, in addition to that it is considered one of the landmarks that attract large numbers of tourists to the city every year, and this palace consists Of the dwellings, large halls, and historical temples, such as the Baal Temple and others. Tourists will also find an ancient olive press and some shops that indicate the crafts that the Ugaritic population has mastered. It should be noted that the excavations are still going on to this day, as only a third of this city has been uncovered.
Place address: Latakia, Syria
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3- Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque
Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque – The Sayyidah Ruqayyah Mosque is characterized by oriental (Iranian) architectural designs and exquisite decorations. It houses the tomb of Sukayna bint Hussain (Ruqayyah, the young daughter of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him), who died in Damascus in the year 681. It is one of the landmarks that attracts large numbers of visitors. Tourists come to the city every year, and the most important thing that distinguishes this Islamic landmark is the many mirrors, gold works and beautiful inscriptions that adorn the walls, in addition to its proximity to the Umayyad Mosque and Al-Hamidiya Market located in the heart of the city.
Place address: Damascus, Syria
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4- Aleppo Citadel
Aleppo Citadel – Aleppo Citadel is the most famous and important tourist attraction in the city, and it is considered one of the largest and oldest castles in the world. It is also located on a hill that offers amazing views of the various parts of the city. The history of the construction of this castle dates back to ancient times, and it consists of a huge building punctuated by doors, corridors, defense halls and ammunition rooms. It also includes a number of towers dating back to different civilizations inhabited through the ages, in addition to the inner throne hall with beautiful stone inscriptions and decorations. It should be noted that this castle was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986 AD.
Place address: Hawl Al Qalaa St, Aleppo, Syria
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5- Shrine of Sayyida Zaynab
Shrine of Sayyida Zaynab – The shrine of Sayyida Zainab is located in the southern part of the city of Damascus in a mosque of the same name. It is considered one of the most important tourist attractions with stunning Islamic decorations. The area of the shrine is 15,000 square meters and can accommodate 5,000 people at the same time. from around the world; The shrine has a distinctive design of pure silver decorated with Quranic verses, and it was designed by an artist from Tehran in 1955.
Place address: Set Zaynab, Syria
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6- Qalaat Fakhr ad-Din al-Maani
Qalaat Fakhr ad-Din al-Maani – Fakhr al-Din al-Maani Castle, which dates back to the thirteenth century AD, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980 AD, as it has great historical and archaeological importance, and it was one of the most important cultural centers in the ancient world. The remains of this castle are located on a slightly elevated rocky hill, and it is surrounded by a moat topped by a movable bridge. It also overlooks the ancient site of Palmyra, which attracts many tourists to it every year.
Place address: Palmyra, Syria
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7- Bab Sharqi
Bab Sharqi – The Gate of the Sun (Bab Sharqi) is one of the seven gates of the ancient Roman town of Damascus, and it was named by this name because it is located on the eastern side of the city. . This gate played an important role in the establishment of the Umayyad state when the Arab armies entered it without a fight, and it also contributed to spreading the Christian religion throughout the ancient world.
Place address: Damascus, Syria
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8- Al Azem Palace
Al Azem Palace – Al-Azm Palace was built in the eighteenth century AD, and it was initially allocated to the Ottoman governor and ruler of Damascus, Ahmed Pasha the Great, and continued until the twenties of the last century, then it was converted into a museum dedicated to folk arts and traditions. This palace is considered a wonderful example of the ancient Damascene houses and a stunning example of the masterpieces of Islamic architecture, as it has a simple exterior design, Levantine corridors, and distinctive interior furniture.
Place address: Damascus, Syria
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9- The Omayad Mosque
The Omayad Mosque – The Great Umayyad Mosque is located in the Old City, and it is one of the largest and oldest mosques and places of worship in the world. It is also considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Damascus. This archaeological site was a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, but it was converted into a mosque during the era of the Umayyad caliph Al-Walid bin Abdul-Malik. The mosque includes a royal burial site and a prayer hall with Islamic decorations and distinctive ancient mosaics, in addition to the shrine of John the Baptist, which is believed to contain the head of John the Baptist since the sixteenth century AD, in addition to the presence of the shrine that contains the tomb of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in a small garden next to the wall. north of the mosque.
Place address: Damascus, Syria
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10- Citadel of Saladin
Citadel of Saladin – This distinctive archaeological landmark is located 30 km east of the city of Lattakia. Salah al-Din Citadel is known as the “Zion Citadel”. It is one of the majestic castles dating back to the Middle Ages and the Crusader era in particular. It consists of fortifications, defensive towers, squares, stables, etc.; This landmark was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006. Many locals and tourists visit this castle to enjoy its architectural design and strategic location, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous areas.
Place address: Qal’at Salah ad Din, Syria
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11- Maqam Gate
Maqam Gate – The Maqam Gate is considered one of the distinctive landmarks that attract a large number of tourists to Aleppo. It is one of the gates of the old town of Aleppo, which dates back to the thirteenth century AD. It leads to the vital popular markets located in the heart of the old town. There are many stories about the reason for the construction of this beautiful architectural gate, one of which says that the goal was ceremonial, and it could have been built in honor and appreciation of some religious figures.
Place address: Said Bin Al Ass Street, Aleppo, Syria
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12- Bab Touma
Bab Touma – Bab Touma is one of the doors leading to the old town of Damascus and the Christian Quarter in particular, and one of the seven gates of the old town walls; This gate was designed by the Byzantines to commemorate St. Thomas the Apostle, and it was built over a Roman door dating back 5,000 years ago. Everyone who visits this archaeological neighborhood can enjoy the fragrant history and nobility of the past when wandering among its old corridors and sidewalks surrounded by various shops and restaurants.
Place address: مطعم ياسمين، Bab Touma St, Damascus, Syria
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13- Medhat Basha Souq
Medhat Basha Souq – Midhat Pasha Market is considered a symbol of the historical symbols of Damascus, and it is one of the old and ancient markets of the city of Damascus. And others, in addition to that it includes many ancient mosques, historical palaces and majestic churches.
Place address: Medhat Basha, Damascus, Syria
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14- Mahalibeh Castle
Mahalibeh Castle – Al-Mahalaba Castle (or Platense Fortress) is located about an hour away from the city of Latakia. It is one of the ancient castles that dates back to the eleventh century AD. It was captured by many empires, such as the Byzantine, Crusader and Franks, and then was liberated by Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi in 1188 AD. This castle sits on a hill with a height of 750 meters. It also consists of the remains of rooms, archways, towers, and passages surrounded by impregnable external walls. It was subjected to a strong earthquake that destroyed many of its parts, but it is now being restored.
Place address: Al Qardahah, Syria
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15- Khan Assad Basha Al Azem
Khan Assad Basha Al Azem – Khan Asaad Pasha al-Azm is one of the main and distinctive attractions in the city of Damascus. It is a historical hotel built in the eighteenth century AD. It is considered one of the largest and most luxurious khans in Damascus, which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. It has majestic architecture, antique interior designs and decorations. ; In addition, it hosted many caravans of merchants from various neighboring countries throughout the ages. This khan covers an area of 2,500 square meters, in the middle of which are large pools of water and surrounded by various shops and wonderful hotel rooms.
Place address: Al-Qaimarryeh, Damascus, Syria
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16- Citadel of Damascus
Citadel of Damascus – Damascus Citadel was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979. The origins of this citadel date back to the late twelfth century AD, during the period of Saladin’s rule in particular, and it is part of the historic city wall. This castle takes the shape of a rectangle, and includes 12 high towers and several large stone gates, and it is made of basalt and carbon stone, and its walls permeate with holes that were intended for shooting arrows in ancient times.
Place address: Damascus, Syria
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17- Mausoleum of Saladin
Mausoleum of Saladin – The tomb of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi was built in 1196 AD in Damascus, and it consists of a sarcophagus made of walnut wood containing the remains of Saladin, which his son transferred from the Damascus Citadel, and another made of the most luxurious types of marble to honor this great military leader by the German Emperor William II (Wilhelm II) in the nineteenth century and during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II; This tomb is topped by a polygonal dome adorned with small, arched windows.
Place address: Damascus, Syria
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18- Hospice Sulaymaniyah
Hospice Sulaymaniyah – The Sulaymaniyah Hospice is a huge mosque complex, and it is considered one of the archaeological monuments dating back to the sixteenth century AD. This wonderful place enjoys classical architecture of the majestic Ottoman style. It was a school, a mosque, and a place to house and feed the poor and pilgrims coming from Anatolia to Makkah; Today, it has been converted into a museum and market dedicated to crafts and crafts.
Place address: Shoukry Al-Qouwatly, Damascus, Syria
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19- Khan Al-Shuna
Khan Al-Shuna – Khan Al-Shuna is one of the rare markets that still exist to this day, which is full of products and exceptional handicrafts made of bamboo, mosaics, pottery, glass, copper, Arabic calligraphy and other crafts of up to 49 crafts. This khan is considered the ideal destination to learn about the distinctive heritage of Syria and oriental architecture, as well as a window to get an idea of Aleppo and its ancient art.
Place address: حلب القديمة، حلب، Syria
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20- Temple of Bel
Temple of Bel – The Temple of Bel (Baal) was named after a Mesopotamian god who was considered the god of gods. It was built in the first century AD. It was one of the archaeological and religious monuments of great importance in the Middle East. This temple mixes ancient oriental architecture with Greek architectural design. Romanian; Despite the harsh conditions that this temple was subjected to throughout the ages, it still maintains its arched entrance, fortified doors, and majestic external walls that attract many tourists from all over the world.
Place address: Palmyra, Syria
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21- Roman Theatre
Roman Theatre – The Roman theater, located in the ancient city of Palmyra, is considered one of the most important attractions that attract large numbers of tourists to the city every year. He mentioned earlier where the amphitheater was built, and the other in the early third century, when the platform was constructed of limestone; This theater takes the form of a semicircle, and its platform is surrounded by stone columns and three large gates that were intended for entering wrestling animals into the ring.
Place address: Theatre, Palmyre, Syria
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22- Jableh Roman theater
Jableh Roman theater – The Jableh Roman Amphitheater is the second largest Roman theater located in Syria, and its construction dates back to the second century AD. It is also very popular among tourists and locals who love architecture and history at the same time. ; Many national and artistic celebrations and international festivals were held in it, the most important of which was the “Live Jableh Festival”, which aims to emphasize the strength of the will of the Syrian people and their love for life.
Place address: Jableh, Syria
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23- Castle Necmettin
Castle Necmettin – Najm al-Din Castle is located northeast of the city of Aleppo and on the banks of the Euphrates River. Despite its distance from the city, it is considered one of the vital landmarks that attract many tourists to it every year. A huge trench with a width of 8-9 meters and a depth of 7 meters. The castle consists of 3 floors that include warehouses, defense towers, secret covered passages, water tanks, and a unique royal palace.
Place address: Kobane, Syria
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Conclusion
As you embark on your journey to explore Syria, we hope you discover new perspectives, make unforgettable memories, and form deep connections with the people and places around you. Our guide is just the beginning of your adventure, so be sure to keep an open mind and heart as you explore this wonderful region. Remember to take in the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Syria so unique, and don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path and discover the hidden gems that await. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or family, or on a romantic getaway, Syria promises to be a destination that will leave you enchanted and inspired. Thank you for choosing to explore Syria with us, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and happy exploring!