Syrian Air

  Ministry of Tourism

     Al Sweida

As Sweida (Al Sweida) is a major center, which is considered as the capital of the modern province of Horan. Most of its ancient remains were used for building material for their new barracks by Ottoman troops in the first decade of the previous century. Its main feature is its black volcanic basalt rocks. Many civilizations appeared there like Amorites, Arameans, Nabatheans, Ghassanites, Muslems, as well as Greeks, Byzantines and Romans. Many ruins show the passage of those civilizations. As Sweida museum: The New Museum includes collections of sculptures and of Roman mosaics from Shahba (Philippoplis). The sculpture ranges from the Nabathean of Arab periods, but the most striking items are those demonstrating that even the heavy basalt of Horan could not defeat the creative sculptors of Roman Syria. Atil temples: Two temples are to be found, the southern one, built in 151 A.D, still shows a 12 meters facade, while the northern one, built by the Roman Emperor Caracala, still has its southern facade intact. Sleim temple: It was known as Niapolis during the Roman period. Its northern corner, and the southern base are still intact. This Temple dates back to the third century A.D. Qanawat: 5,434 visitors in 1999 . It's an important town especially under the Roman rule. The Romans made it, in 60 B.C, one of the ten most important cities called Decapolis meaning a union of ten cities with Damascus heading them. The fact explains why its traces are scattered, and its ruins considered being the most remarkable in the region of Jabal Al-Arab. The beauty of the site increases the charm of the ruins. It contains The Seraglio, God of Sun Temple, Zeus Temple, Water God Temple and one church dating back to the fourth century A.D. Salkhad: It contains three important sites; (1) The Ayyoubid Fortress: Standing on an ancient volcanic hill. The Nabatheans built it. (2) Salkhad Minaret: Can be found in the main square of the town. It dates back to Ayyoubid period. (3) Ruins of Tombs: Some Arabic inscriptions can be found dating back to the Ayyoubid period.