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Sweida

Sweida is a beautiful town, at an altitude of 1100m. at 90 km south –east of
Damascus.
It is built in black basalt stone and tells a long history of Seleucide, Nabatean,
Roman and Byzantine civilizations. The Nabatean called it “ Sawada” (the black)
and the Greek and roman called it “Dionysias”. It is reputed for its orchards and
vineyards, producing excellent apples, grapes and other fruits. Beside the old
town, it has well constructed modern buildings.

Sweida Museum:
It is housed in a modern building and has a large collection of local basalt stone
sculptures belonging mostly to the “classical” periods. It has also some very
beautiful mosaic panels, found locally, representing “Orpheus”. Thalassa”, “ the
birth of Venus” and “ the Wedding of Thetys”

The town of Shahba:
A small ancient town at 75 km south – east of Damascus on the road to Sweida. It is
the birthplace of the Roman Emperor Philip the Arab (244-249 A.D.). The town was
renamed “ Philipopolis” in his honor and her greatly embellished it with temples,
baths, palaces, arch of triumph and surrounding walls, the remains of which are
still extant. The temple of goddess “Rome”, constructed in third century, is well
preserved and has beautiful Corinthian column. Shahba is also reputed for its
mosaic floor panels. It has sculptures of hard basalt rock, and in its neighborhood
there are very beautiful falls. In the other hand, you can find some huge temples
such as: the Pagan Temples of water goddesses, Hayran temple, and Amiamas
temple.

Mosaic Museum of Shahba:
This museum was built around newly discovered mosaic floor panels in an area
believed to have been the house of the local government. This arrangement was
taken in order to disturb the panels from their original surrounding for fear of
damage.
The panels include “ thalassa”, “The Wedding of Ariane”, “Orpheus”, Herakles
and Aphrodite”, “the Three Goddesses”, and four panels representing the
seasons of the year.
Shahba and Sweida are surrounded by beautiful villages perched on the slopes of
extinct volcanoes, with many springs and oases.

Qanawat:
It is located at 7 km east of Sweida in a wooded area covering the slope of an
extinct volcano and has many orchards and vineyards. It was an important
commercial town during the Roman period.
Qnawat is reputed as the riches area in the Druze Mountain in remains of old
civilizations, especially well preserved irrigation canals and aqueducts, which
gave their name to the town, in addition to temples, arenas, amphitheatres and the
world reputed “Odeon” .
The main temples are:
The temple of Helios ( the sun God) built in the second century.
The temple of Zeus ( the first among Gods) built in the second century.
The Ayoub(Job) pilgrimage.

Atil Temples :
Many temples are found here, the South temple, the North temple and others. In
addition to temples at Salim, Breikeh, Al-Mushannaf of Shahba. Another religious
monument is “ Qulaybet Oum Al-Zeitoun.

Qanawat Church:
Built I the fourth century. It features very high columns of 20 m. each and forms
now part of the local museum.

Shaqqa Castle:
A roman castellan, with an arch of triumph, three huge gates, octagonal dome,
Two very bog halls lined with statue pedestals ( the statues have disappeared). On
its façade there is very beautiful engraving of a roman eagle with open wings.

Shaqqa Church:
Built in the second century, it has three naves roofed with basalt slabs over a
succession of vaults. It has also three main gates.