Syrian Air

  Ministry of Tourism

     Hamah

Hamah is the oldest city all over the world . It was a prosperous kingdom during the Aramean period. The city is famous for its numerous waterwheels (Norias). Green orchards surround it. The most important ruins in Hama are; the Great Mosque, Abil Fida Mosque, An-Nouri Mosque and Al-Azem Palace. Apamea: 51,664 visitors in 1999 . The Arabic name is (Afamia) .It was Saluqos Nikator’s center of his military leadership. He named it Apamea after his wife's name. It’s a perfect image of mixture of Greek and local Syrian civilizations, which was creative in every corner and place. As an Eastern cross roads, it received many distinguished persons, such as; Septimus, Severus and the Emperor Caracalla.In the Christian era, Apamea became a center of philosophy and thoughts, especially Monophostism. Cross Monastery: The Arabic name is (Deir As-Saleeb). It consists of a Basilica and some tombs. A dome built with lime stones covers one of these tombs, which remain intact. There are three stones coffins decorated with cross signs inside this tomb. East of this Monastery is a town, which was hidden under the earth many centuries ago. Hamah Citadel: which the Ministry of Tourism planted trees and set up a big handsome park, where the tourists and the visitors can spend wonderful time enjoying the numerous and the most beautiful sceneries of Hama city. Shmeimis Citadel: It's the Fortress of the Sun or Shmeimis Citadel. It lies on a high cone mountain. Most of its buildings are in ruins, except the city wall. It dominates the steppe type plain at about 4 km from Salamiyeh. Assad Ad-Din Shirikuh has built the present building in 1230 A.D. Al Madiq Citadel: It's an Arab citadel lying on the top of the Acropolis of Apamea. It was known as the Apamea Fortress until the sixteenth century. The Arabs conquered it in 638 A.D. As it had a very important military position, the Byzantines conquered it in 975 A.D, but the Arabs regained it in 933 A.D. it's distinguished by the remains of its walls and towers. Also, it has a khan built by the Ottomans in the 16th century A.D and transformed into an archaeological museum.