Homs to Hama
NOTE: the 11th spring festival of Hama city in 2008 was from 28/April to 13/May. The dates for 2009 are not available at this time. See photos of last year's Spring Festival at the bottom of this page.
MOON PHASE: new moon
Excusion to Musyaf, Safita, and the crusader castle Crac des Chevaliers
The Orient House Hotel, Hama O/N
http://www.travonline.com/hotel.aspx?hid=4669&did=75
KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
The most famous medieval citadel in the world, Krak des Chevaliers (Qal'at Al-Hosn in Arabic) is 65 km west of Homs and 75 km south-east of Tartus.
It was built in order to control the so-called "Homs Gap", the gateway to Syria. It was through this passage that Syria communicated with the Mediterranean.
In ancient times the importance of this strategic corridor was immense. It was of crucial importance to the Crusaders and other foreign invaders in their conquest of the coast. Conflict over the Krak des Chevaliers continued through the ages. It was a fierce and bloody dispute, but in the end, Sultan Beybars managed to recover it in 1271 through a military trick after one month of fighting.
Krak des Chevaliers was built on the site of a former castle erected by the Emirs of Homs to accommodate Kurdish garrisons; Krak is a modification of the Arab word Qal'a, which means citadel. The citadel covers an area of 3000 square meters and has 13 huge towers, in addition to many stores, tanks, corridors, bridges and stables. It can accommodate 5000 soldiers with their horses, their equipment and provisions for five years.
HAMA
Hama - Is situated 140 km south of Aleppo and 47 km north of Homs. See Maps for locations and distances.
Hama has a history that dates back to 2,000 BC and has long been a crossroads between the Mediterranean and the East. Evidence of human settlement here dates back to around 1100 BC when the small kingdom of Hamath was ruled from the citadel hill. During the Selucid the city renamed Epiphania became an administrative center of minor importance, a function which continued through the Roman and Byzantine eras.
Hama has many distinctive features, the two most prominent features is its citadel and its ancient Norias (waterwheels). The Norias have been scooping water from the Orontes River (Nahr al-Assi - Assi means Rebel, since the river runs northwards) and pouring it into irrigation canals. The groaning sound of the Norias adds a certain mystique to this ancient city. The sounds are quite relaxing and soothing to the mind.
Hama is a very clean and conservative town where modern buildings meet the ancient past. Attractions include Azem Palace which served as the Governor's residence during the Ottoman Empire. Nearby is the An-Nuri Mosque which was built for the uncle of Saladin, Nur al-Din.
In the Al-Madina quarter of the city, you will find the Citadel surrounded by parks and river-side gardens. The Great Mosque constructed by the Umayyed dynasty is also located here. Close by is the Orthodox Church.
Around Hama - The Roman ruins of Apamea (Afimia) is 60 km northwest of Hama. Apamea was founded around 300 BC by Seleucus, ruler of northern Syria and Mesopotamia following the death of Alexander the Great and named after his Persian wife. This trading town connected Latakia and Palmyra. Besides the Roman ruins Qalaat Mudiq is also an impressive site. Later in its history Apamea became and important stopping point for pilgrims from from Istanbul to Mecca.
Other sites of interest near Hama are Qalaat Burzey, Misyaf, Al-Baida, Deir Solieb, Qalaat Shmaimis, Qasr ibn Warden and Anderin, S'kalbiey and Mhardeh.
Hama has Muhrajan al-Rabi (Spring Festival) in April where the local customs and traditions are displayed throughout the city. This annual event is always a good time to visit Hama and its sourrounding areas.
Some Images of the Spring Festival in Hama in 2008:
