Baqirha, ancient settlement in northwestern Syria
Baqirha is an archaeological site in northwestern Syria that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and belongs to the Dead Cities region. The ruins include a Roman temple from the 2nd century, two Byzantine churches from the 6th century, and remains of houses that display different building styles from Roman and Christian periods.
Baqirha was founded in the 2nd century when Romans built a temple to the Syrian god Zeus Bomos. Later, the population converted to Christianity and built two churches between the 5th and 6th centuries, shifting the village center from pagan worship to Christian faith.
The name Baqirha refers to the hill on which the settlement stands, known locally as Burj Baqirha. The ruins reveal how religious life shifted here from worship of a Syrian god at a Roman temple to the building of two churches that later became the spiritual center of the community.
The terrain is dry and hilly with sparse vegetation, so wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring sun protection. The best time to visit is during cooler months, as summer heat is intense and the paths are unpaved.
The Roman temple dates to 161 AD and was dedicated to the Syrian god Zeus Bomos, offering rare insight into how Roman and local Syrian religious practices merged. The temple was built at the southern edge of the village rather than in its center, suggesting a deliberate separation between sacred and daily life spaces.
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