The
Homs State (Province) is the largest one of
Syrian states, it is
extended between Lebanon and Tartus at
the west, Iraq and Jordan and Deir ez Zor
at west, Hama at the North and
Damascus at the south.Homs State
contain a lot of very historical places, Like the ancient city of
Palmyra (Tudmor) or the
Krak Des Chevaliers (Qalaat al-Hosn), the most important
castle of the middle ages. Other places of interest around Homs,
include al Rastan, Meshta al Helu
(Resort Town), Der Mar Jourjous (Monastery of St. George), Wadi al
Nasara (collection of Christian villages surrounding Qalaat al-Hosn),
Al Mishrifeh, Lake of Qattina, Qaser Al Hir Al Gharbi & Al Sharki
Qatna, modernly known as
Al Mishrifeh, is an ancient city
in Syria, present day Tell-el-Mishrifeh in the Wadi il-Aswad, a
tributary of the Orontes, 18 km northeast of Homs. The tell
occupies 1 km², which makes it one of the biggest bronze Age towns
in central Syria.
The first finds in Qatna date to the third dynasty of Ur. The find
of an Egyptian sphinx belonging to Princess Ita, daughter of
Amenemhat II (1875 - 1840 BC, 12th dynasty) shows early Egyptian
influence, although it is not clear at what time the sphinx got to
Qatna (the sphinx was found within the debris of the Late Bronze
Age palace).
Qasr al-Hir al-Gharbi: 45 kilometres south-west of
Tudmor (Palmyra), built by the Caliph
Hisham ibn Abdul Malik in the 8th century, this pails square and
surrounded by a huge wall, at each corner of which there is a
round tower. At each side of the main gate there are two
half-rounded towers. It has a courtyard with columns with
Corinthian crowns.
Qasr al-Hir al-Sharqi: The Caliph Hisham built this
palace 110 kilometres northeast of Palmyra,
in 628. It contains a palace-residence for the caliph and for the
garrisons. There is a small mosque built in the style of the
Omayyad mosque in Damascus, there is a Beth with hot, warm and
cold running water. This is the oldest Omayyad bath. The palace is
surrounded by a wide garden. Rasafeh (also known as Resapha or
Sergiopolis) is about 150km further north across open desert. This
was the site of martyrdom of the Roman soldier St Sergius (one of
the many saints who achieved their martyrdom during the reign of
Diocletian). (Photo
Gallery)
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