CITY TOURISM Saidnaya and Maaloula: The Historic Aramaic Towns of Syria > By Ala Al-Hamarneh It takes less than an hour’s drive from downtown Damascus to reach the charming old Aramaic town of Saidnaya in the foothills of the majestic Anti-Lebanon mountains. The town is famous for its Christian holy sites and monasteries as well as for its inhabitants who belong to the Syriac minority.

he Syriacs, who gave their T name to the whole modern country of Syria, are the grandchildren of the ancient Arameans. The area called the “Fertile Crescent” to which Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan, Iraq and Turkey belong was once the territory of numerous prosperous Aramaic city-states. The ancient Greeks were probably the first to call the Aramean population Syrians; the name “Aram” was first mentioned ôjódG ÖfÉL øe ádƒ∏©Ÿ »eGQƒfÉH ô¶æe around 2300 BC. Many Aramaic Panorama of Maaloula from The Convent tribes developed into special ethnic groups distance it looks like a fortress, perched on visiting: the Monastery of Mar Thomas and acquired names of their own such as the a rocky hillock in the town center. The and the Cherubim Convent situated Canaanites in Palestine, the Palmyreans in convent that hosts a school, monastery for strategically on the highest point of the local Syria, the Nabataens in Jordan, the Chaldeans nuns and an orphanage is a famous mountain range. in Iraq and so forth. The Aramaic language in pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims Saidnaya overlooks a fertile valley rich with its various dialects has been spoken for alike. The object of adoration is an icon of orchards, grape vines and olive groves that thousands of years by the people living the Virgin Mary supposedly painted by host many open-air restaurants and hotels. between the eastern coasts of the Saint Luke located in a small dark shrine- The town is rapidly growing with a lot of Mediterranean and Mesopotamia. It was the like room. The main chapel has an antique new construction sites. Many of the mother tongue of Jesus Christ and the Holy wooden iconostasis and numerous gold- buildings are second homes and summer Bible was originally written in old Aramaic. painted icons. The convent was founded houses for the wealthy Damascenes. The towns of Saidnaya and the scenic by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the The very picturesque town of Maaloula has Maaloula, which are clumped stunningly sixth century. succeeded in preserving its antique and at against the sheer cliffs of the Qallamoun Amongst the houses of the town there are the same time cozy character more than the mountains 20 km to the north of Saidnaya, several small churches, monasteries and modern Saidnaya. Modern Aramaic (Syriac) are the religious and cultural centers of the shrines dedicated to various saints. Many of is still widely spoken in the town. The caves Syriac-Aramaic minority. The most them are very old but have undergone around the town suggest that it was a pre- important monument in the town is the comprehensive restoration. Around the historic settlement and one of the earliest Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya. From a town there are two religious sites worth centers of Christianity.

Islamic Tourism – Issue 25 – September- October / 2006 For more information, visit our website www.islamictourism.com 36 CITY TOURISM

The most important tourist attraction is the Christian communities worldwide, replaced by modern constructions that offer defile of Saint Thecla. According to legend, established in the fourth century AD. more comfortable living conditions. The Thecla was the daughter of a prince who The Monastery of Mar Sarkis (or Saint warped, hanging and partially roofed paths converted to Christianity and ran to hide in Sergius) is believed to have been founded in and stairs all over the old town make a walk Maaloula. Her father sent soldiers to the fourth century. It is dedicated to the through it a unique experience; it is a walk execute her for her conversion to the new saints Sarkis and Bacchus who were Roman through the whole history of the Syriac- faith. Finding herself trapped against the soldiers. They converted to Christianity and Aramaic people, their culture, religion, cliffs, she prayed to God for help. Her were sentenced to death because they architecture and language. prayers were answered and a narrow path refused to honor the Roman god Jupiter. Both towns are often visited by local, Arab (the defile, or gap between two mountains The main chapel in the monastery shows old and international tourists. They are which we see today) opened in the rocky Roman and Byzantine ruins integrated in the included in package tours and are a must mountains, allowing her to escape to a little modern construction. The monastery is a for individual tourists. The rich history and cave in the cliffs. pilgrimage site, especially for Catholics in the religious exclusiveness as well as The Convent of Mar Thecla that hosts the Syria and Lebanon. gorgeous geographic location and the holy shrine of Saint Thecla is a very popular Maaloula is famous for the traditional and hospitality of the people make the two pilgrimage site for Christians from all over authentic architecture in the old part of the towns one of the most unforgettable sites the Arab Middle East. The Convent of Our town. Many old buildings, especially the in Syria. They are evidence of the religious Lady of Saidnaya and the Convent of Saint churches and shrines, have been extensively and cultural richness of modern Syrian Thecla belong to the Greek Orthodox restored. Unfortunately for visitors, society and an irreplaceable landmark of Patriarchy of Damascus, one of the oldest numerous houses were demolished and human civilization.

A Nun in the Convent of Mar Thecla Ó≤J âfÉ°S ôjO ‘ áÑgGQ The Defile in Maaloula ádƒ∏©e ‘ »∏Ñ÷G ≥°ûdG

Islamic Tourism – Issue 25 – September- October / 2006 For more information, visit our website www.islamictourism.com 38