Time in Syria

Labels: Massar

When Helen was out in late November we travelled out to Deir Marmousa, a monastery in the hills about an hour and a half north of Damascus, near Nabek. The monastery is supposed to have been founded here by St Moses over 1400 years ago, fell into disuse in the 17th century and is now being restored thanks to the efforts of a Jesuit priest, Father Paolo, and local Catholic communities. It's a breathtaking place, not least for the climb to reach it, looking out over beautiful but desolate landscape.

The frescoes in the chapel date from the 7th and 11th centuries.

Labels: Deir Marmousa, Syria

The site for our discovery centre was the location for international trade fairs in Syria for decades up to 2000, when the trade fairs moved out of the city centre. These old photos show the site in its pomp.

Labels: Massar