Basufan, Archaeological site in Afrin Subdistrict, Syria
Basufan is an archaeological site with ruins from Byzantine times in the Afrin region. The grounds are dominated by a church complex where the main building has three aisles, with the central space defined by two rectangular apses flanking a semicircular central apse.
The church was built in the late 5th century and was part of a larger monastic complex. Its design resembles other major religious buildings from the same period and region.
The site shows how different faiths occupied the same ground over time, with an early Christian church standing alongside a large Islamic cemetery that grew around it. This layering of religious practices at one location reflects how people of different beliefs shared and reshaped the landscape across centuries.
The site is located in northwestern Syria and is best visited when you take time to explore both the church ruins and the surrounding cemetery grounds. The elevation of around 630 meters offers good views across the surrounding landscape.
A southern chamber beside the church once served as a shrine for a holy martyr and was directly connected to the central church space. This arrangement shows how closely martyr veneration was woven into everyday church practice.
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