One of the most famous and beautiful tourist areas in Syria is the Castle of Simeon.
In this article, we will talk about this castle that was built as a church and then turned into a castle.
Introduction to the tourist castle of Simeon in Syria
The Monastery of Simeon or the Monastery of Thelanisus is a monastery in Syria near the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Specifically in the Dara'aza area in the western countryside of Aleppo.
The Monastery of Simeon was named after the Syrian saint and hermit - Simeon the Stylite .
Who was born in 389 AD in the town of (Sisan) south of Mount Simeon (part of Jabal al Zawiya).
And took refuge in the Monastery of Thelanisus, which was later known as the Monastery and Castle of Simeon, and that was in 412 AD.
Where he would fast for days without food or drink.
And would remain standing for days praising God and worshipping.
Simeon the Stylite secluded himself in this place as a worshipper and hermit living on top of a column with a height of - 40 cubits / approximately 15 meters.
For more than forty years and his disciples would climb to him on top of the column and people would visit him for holiness.
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| Remains of the column on which Simeon worshipped |
This is the remains of the column on which Simeon the Stylite worshipped.
Due to weathering, it is said that pieces of it were previously taken for blessing.
A glimpse into the construction of the Church of Simeon and its transformation into a fortress
Simeon's Fortress contains the column on which Simeon worshipped and asceticized.
Theodoret Bishop of Cyrus described him in a book in which he spoke about the ascetics of Syria.
And attributed to him many miracles.
Including that he spent the forty-day fast standing on top of the column day and night.
Without food or drink and it is said that he died in this state.
After the death of Saint Simeon the Roman Emperor built a magnificent church in the same place around the column.
It still stands today except for the roof within the ruins of a large monastery.
The Patriarch of Antioch insisted on transferring Simeon's body to Antioch by order of Emperor Leo.
But the people refused, so the Emperor sent 600 soldiers to eliminate their resistance.
He was able to transfer the body to the Church of Saint Constantine in Antioch.
The remains were later transferred to Constantinople and buried in the Church of Hagia Sophia.
The church on Mount Simeon in Syria became a destination for Christian pilgrims from Europe and the East.
People used to make pilgrimages to it throughout the year.
Saladin liberated it from the Crusaders and turned it into a military fortress.
It is still known as "Simeon's Castle" and the Monastery of Simeon and it is one of the important Christian archaeological sites in Syria.
Plans for the construction of the Church of Simeon.
The castle consists of an adjacent Christian architectural complex.
Including the great church the monastery, the baptistery, the small church and the cemetery.
The great church was designed in the form of a Greek cross consisting of four basilicas (eastern, western northern and southern).
Perpendicular to each other except for the eastern one which leans 6 degrees towards the north.
At the point where they meet is a main hall with octagonal sides.
They all surround the base of the Simonian worship column.
On which Saint Simeon lived and which is considered the axis of the church.
It was equipped at the top with a balustrade of wooden planks in the form of a balcony.
With a ladder for people to reach the hermit and communicate with him.
Around the eastern and southern basilicas.
There is a large courtyard in which the monastery and the chapel for the priests are built.
The monks' burial place is carved into the rock on the northern side and the graves are located on its walls.
About 200 meters to the south of the church.
The square-shaped baptistery is topped by an octagon and on its eastern side is an apse.
We notice the presence of a hole that was used for baptism.
Its construction merges with the construction of a small three-section church (basilica).
It was used to complete the rituals.
To the south of the baptistery.
A wall door leads outside via a sloping road to the facilities of the Monastery of Simeon.
These are buildings and facilities that were used for pilgrims and visitors.
All of these buildings are surrounded by a stone wall which gives them the appearance of a huge complex.
How to reach and tour Simeon Castle
Contact us, Turkmov Trade and Tourism Company.
To help you reach Simeon Castle.
And enjoy the scent of history in Simeon Castle in Syria.
We are pleased to contact us for tourism services in Syria or in Turkey.
Thank you for coming with us here and we hope that we have provided something useful to you.