Orontes Valley Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Map of Orontes Valley

• 34.91666736.7333331 Al-Rastan —
• 35.13333336.752 Hama — waterwheels
• 34.73333336.7166673 Homs — an ancient city by the Orontes River, amazing green mountains in spring
• 35.24777836.57254 Maharda —
• 35.06534236.3420865 Masyaf — known for its large castle, headquarters of the medieval Order of Assassins
• 35.01111137.0530566 Salamiyah —

• 35.41666736.41 Apamea — a former Roman city which once housed about half a million people. Apamea was hit by an earthquake in the 12th century and much of it was destroyed but it still boasts a long street lined with columns, some of which have twisted fluting.
• 34.557636.522 Kadesh - the site of the Battle of Kadesh between the Hittites and Egyptians in the 13th century BC. It was destroyed by the invading Sea Peoples in around 1178 BC. However, Hellenistic remains have been found in the upper levels of the tell (ruin-mound), and the summit is still occupied today.
• 34.83536.8658333 Qatna - ruins of an ancient city that contained one of the largest royal palaces of Bronze Age Syria.
• 35.36666737.2333334 Qasr Ibn Wardan - Ruins of a palace, church and barracks erected in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I