Hosn Suleiman, Archaeological site in Safita District, Syria.
Hosn Suleiman is an archaeological site in Safita District featuring large stone walls, towers, and the remains of a temple dedicated to Zeus. The complex sits on Al-Nabi Saleh mountain at approximately 950 meters elevation.
The site was known as Baetocaece during the Hellenistic period and became a major temple complex starting in the 2nd century BC under Seleucid rule. It remained important through the following centuries under various ancient dynasties.
Greek and Latin inscriptions carved into the temple walls record privileges that different rulers granted to the sanctuary over centuries. These texts show how important this place was to the people in power.
The site lies about 20 kilometers from Duraykish and 56 kilometers from Tartous, accessible by regional roads in western Syria. The mountain setting requires some preparation for walking across uneven terrain.
The temple incorporates some of the largest stone blocks found in Syria, surpassed only by those at Baalbek in size. These massive blocks demonstrate the impressive construction skills of ancient builders.
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