The most important
historical sites of Homs city are:
Great Mosque of Al Nuri (called Al Jame Al
Kabeer)
This mosque
dates back to the twelfth centuryis
and said to stand on the site of the Temple of Baal, and a later
Church of St. John. The columns used in this mosque are of the oldest
objects in this city.
Mosque of Khaled Ibn Al-Walid
The Ottoman style mosque was built directly before the First World
War and holds the tomb of the great Muslim leader Khaled Ibn Al Walid
who lived in Homs for the last seven years of his life.This
building is distinguished by its metal dome which reflects sunshine.
It is also famous for its two high minarets and narrow galleries
built with black and white stones in a horizontal manner.The slender
colonnade in black and white stone in horizontal rows is
representative of traditional Syrian architecture.
Church of Umm Al Zunnar (the
Virgin's Girdle)
In 1953 a textile belt was found here under the altar, it is said
to have belonged to the Virgin Mary. The current building only dates
back to the 19th century but a 4th Century Church used to be on this
site and it is believed that the textile belt was placed here.
Church of St. Elias (Mar Elian)
In 1970 a collection of fine murals and mosaic were discovered in
the crypt beneath a coat of plaster. This church dates back to the 6th
Century AD and was built in dedication to the son of a Roman officer
who was martyred in the 3rd century for refusing to renounce
Christianity. also contains Arab and Greek scripts dating
back to the twelfth century AD and even as far back as the sixth
century.
The Citadel
Little remains of this citadel, which was destroyed in the 1830s
by Ibrahim Pasha. It is located in the southwestern part of the city,
on a natural mound surrounded by a moat. The mound is now off-limits.
This citadel played an important role in the history of Homs
especially under the Nourite, Ayyubite, and Mameluke states
Souk of Homs ( Souk al maskuf)
The souk of Homs are located in the ancient part of the city and
occupy a large area. Most parts of the souk were constructed during
the Ayyubite, Mameluke, and Ottoman periods. There are a few baths
also dating back to these periods including the Small Hammam, Al
Assayati Hammam and the Ottoman Hammam.
Zihrawi Palace
one of the most famous ancient buildings in Homs is the al Zihrawi
palace, which has been turned into a museum for popular traditions.
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