Where is Deir Sanbul located?

Deir Sonbol site

Deir Sonbol is an archaeological city located in the Syrian Arab Republic. It is one of the forgotten cities in the Syrian Idlib Governorate. The establishment of Deir Sonbol dates back to the Byzantine-Roman period. The monastery is located on the eastern-southern slope of Mount Barisha, to the west of Maar Tamsrin. The history of this site dates back to the beginnings of The second century AD, and the region reached the peak of its prosperity in the sixth century AD, when the number of its houses exceeded a hundred houses, and a number of churches, and its view remains good to this day, and the best case is the northern (basilica) church, which dates back to the sixth century AD.

The region turned into a training ground for Rome's Imperial Guard, where it came under Byzantine rule for a number of years until the Muslim Arabs came to it as conquerors in the year 637 AD. In the year 1098 AD, it fell under Crusader occupation until Nur al-Din Zengi came and liberated it in the year 1149 AD, and in the year 1157 AD it was subjected to The area was hit by a devastating earthquake, followed by a succession of earthquakes that obliterated the features of the place, except for a number of ruins that still remain to this day.

Deir Sunbul landmarks

Deir Sonbol is surrounded by many luxurious buildings, including palaces and villas belonging to the upper class, which are spread in particular in the western quarter of it, where they were the residence of the rich and the wealthy. These houses consist of two floors, some of which are preceded by a portico. Their roofs are made of tiles, resting on a wooden structure, and they have portable porticoes. On columns covered with decorations, they have stone balconies and are surrounded by windows on all sides. Columns, arches and arches were used in their construction, and they were decorated with religious slogans and various inscriptions.

The place contains simple houses belonging to the public on small areas. These houses have close-to-door doors and are decorated with religious slogans, but these houses collapsed due to devastating earthquakes. Deir Sonbol belongs to the forgotten or dead cities or what is called Byzantine Syria. This area is famous for its vineyards and olive presses. This area is considered home to olive trees, and it has not been fully and completely discovered yet.

In addition to olive trees and grape vines, almond trees, walnuts, sesame, figs, and various types of grains were grown in the place, and the most famous types of wine were extracted from their vines, which were exported to Constantinople, the Byzantine capital, and other cities. The olive oil extracted from their trees was considered one of the purest oils in the region. This oil was used for lighting and food. Olive and grape presses were built underground, and the region was famous for the manufacture of shoes, ceramics, and carpentry, in addition to knitting and weaving.