Qal`at as Sim`an Travel Guide

 MM212 Says:  Dating from the 10th century AD, the walls around the complex were built hastily by the Byzantines during their brief re-occupation of Syria under Nicephorus Phocas. The walls were meant to fortify the complex against potential attacks by the Arabs. The walls enclose the... 

 MM212 Says:  The pillar on which Simeon Stylites spent 37 years has, over time, been reduced to nothing but its base and a block of stone. Over the years, pilgrims visiting the church chipped pieces of the pillar as souvenirs until most of it was gone. It is located in the middle of the... 

 MM212 Says:  The main façade of Saint Simeon's Church, located to the south, has survived incredibly well since its construction in the 5th century AD. It is considered the main architectural feature of Saint Simeon, and the most recognisable part. The façade is preceeded by a narthex,... 

 MM212 Says:  The main southern façade of Saint Simeon is preceeded by an intricately carved narthex made up of three arches, each topped with a triangle roof. The wooden roof of the narthex has not survived, but the holes on which the beams rested can still be seen in the stones of the... 

 MM212 Says:  To the east of the Baptistery is a long structure, lying mostly in ruins. This structure once housed the many pilgrims who came to visit the complex of Saint Simeon. They must have enjoyed beautiful views towards the east! 

 MM212 Says:  A large monastery that once housed resident and visiting monks and priests is located immediately to the south-west of Saint Simeon's Church. Architecturally, the monastery is more typically Syrian than the church itself, with the bold blocks forming perpendicular lines,... 

 MM212 Says:  The Northern Basilica has also largely survived intact. Its façade, which once contained a columned portico, though is in partial ruins, with some of the columns half upright. The Mortuary Chapel and the north-eastern terrace are accessed through the front of the Northern... 

 MM212 Says:  A most impressive chevet lay at the end of the Eastern Basilica. The Chevet is one of the most notable architectural features of Saint Simeon, surviving largely intact. It is intricately decorated both inside and outside. When visiting St Simeon, one must make sure to... 

 MM212 Says:  The least preserved of the four is the Western Basilica. At the end of it, though, there is a terrace that affords the visitor a magnificent view over the plains and hills extending all the way to the modern Turkey. 

 MM212 Says:  The four basilicas that make up the cruciform Saint Simeon's Church meet at the Octagonal Court. In the centre of the court is Saint Simeon's pillar, or what's left of it. The court was once covered with a wooden dome that collapsed and was never rebuilt after a 6th century... 

 MM212 Says:  Upon arrival at Saint Simeon, immediately after the ticket office, the first sight one comes across is an incredibly ornate block of stone (see main photo). The Byzantine-style carvings are in an amazingly well-preserved state and the block itself was probably part of a... 

 MM212 Says:  The Eastern Basilica was the largest of the four basilicas that made up Saint Simeon's Church. It is also the most elaborately decorated and contains an impressive chevet at the end that has survived fully intact. It was built at a slight angle from the other basilicas in... 

 MM212 Says:  The village of Deir Sema'an is located just to the south of the complex of Saint Simeon and can be clearly seen from the Baptistery. The village, under its ancient name Telanissos, used to serve as a final stop for pilgrims visiting Saint Simeon. Pilgrims walked from Deir... 

 MM212 Says:  On the way from Aleppo to Saint Simeon, you will come across several abandoned Byzantine structures (other than Moushabbak Church). If you have the time, it may be worth making the detour to visit some of these structures. 

 MM212 Says:  Visiting Saint Simeon in springtime was such a treat. Wild flowers were in full bloom everywhere around the complex of Saint Simeon. The flowers along with the perfect spring weather made the visit quite magical. For more pictures, check out the travelogue "Springtime in...