Below is a selection of Homs sights
Contributors February 27, 2006
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Great Mosque of Al Nuri
This mosque is said to stand on the site of the Temple of Baal, and a later Church of St. John. The columns used in this mosque are of the oldest objects in this city.
type: Hotspots
Church of St. Elias (Mar Elian)
In 1970 a collection of fine murals were discovered in the crypt beneath a coat of plaster. This church dates ### The Citadel
Little remains of this citadel, which was destroyed in the 1830s by Ibrahim Pasha. It is located in the southwestern part of the city, on a natural mound surrounded by a moat. The mound is now off-limits. This citadel played an important role in the history of Homs especially under the Nourite, Ayyubite, and Mameluke states, the Ayyubites in particular. The very important point that the citadel stands on the site of the Temple of Baal (sun god).
type: Hotspots
Carc des Chevaliers (Qal'at al-Hosn)
The most famous medieval citadel in the world, Qal'at al-Hosn is 65 km west of Homs . It is 650 m above sea-level. It was built in order to control the so-called "Homs Gap", the gateway to Sryia. It was through this passage that Syria communicated with the Mediterranean .
In ancient times the importance of this strategic corridor was immense. It was of crucial importance to the Crusaders and other foreign invaders in their conquest of the coast. Conflict over the Crac des Chevaliers continued through the ages. It was a fierce and bloody dispute, but the castle has survived remarkably well — its concentric walls, vaulted halls and chapel make it one of the finest surviving Crusader fortresses in the world.
type: Castles
openingHours: 0800 am to 0600pm
address: 65 km west of Homs
Zihrawi Palace
One of the most famous ancient buildings in Homs is the al Zihrawi palace, which has been turned into a museum for popular traditions.
type: Palaces
openingHours: 0800 am to 0500pm
Church of Umm Al Zunnar (the Virgin's Girdle)
In 1953 a textile belt was found here under the altar, it is said to have belonged to the Virgin Mary. The current building only dates ### Mosque of Khaled Ibn Al-Walid
The Ottoman style mosque was built directly before the First World War and holds the tomb of the great Muslim leader Khaled Ibn Al Walid.
type: Hotspots
Souks of Homs
The souks of Homs are located in the ancient part of the city and occupy a large area. Most parts of the souk were constructed during the Ayyubite, Mameluke, and Ottoman periods. There are a few baths also dating ### Qattina lake
The Qattina lake is 15 km from Homs, it is rich in fish, and has the first rainwater dam used in agriculture which dates