Sacred Destinations
A richly illustrated guide to the world's sacred places,
historic religious sites, sacred art and religious architecture.

Kharab Shams

Byzantine church, Kharab Shams, Dead Cities, Syria
Ruins of the 5th-century Byzantine basilica at Kharab Shams. Photo: Syria Looks.



Kharab Shams (also spelled Harab Shams or Kharab al-Shams) is one the many "Dead Cities" in northern Syria.

Located on the eastern slopes of the Jebel Sima'an not far from the Aleppo-Azaz road, Kharab Shams is notable for its particularly well preserved Byzantine basilica dating from the 5th century AD.

Ancient carvings, Kharab Shams, Syria
Lintel with ancient carvings. Photo: Syria Looks.

Kharab Shams was also inhabited in the pre-Classical period, which accounts for some mysterious ancient carvings on one of the standing lintels.

Sources

  1. Warwick Ball, Syria: A Historical and Architectural Guide (2006), p. 149.
  2. Kharab Shams - Souria.com



Sacred Destinations Home    Contact Us    About Us    About Images    Advertise    Spiritual Tours    Timeshares    Blog    Privacy Policy
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-09 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get our daily photo gadget.
Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys. We are a Yahoo Pick!
Popular categories: Ancient Mysteries, Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites
Popular sites: Easter Island, Lourdes, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Oberammergau Passion Play, Shroud of Turin 2010, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Stonehenge
Popular destinations: Rome, Rome Map, Ravenna, Ephesus, Assisi, Paris, Jerusalem
Our stock photo site: Sacred Destinations Photography