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The dead city of Serjilla

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Posted on Sat, Apr 11 2015 14:59:11

serjillaSerjilla is one of nearly 800 Byzantine Dead Cities in Syria.  Serjilla was unusually founded during the Christian era, in 473 AD. This modest farming town produced olives, olive oil, grapes, wine and wheat, and was one of the stops on the trading routes from Antioch to Apamea. Just like many other similar settlements in Syria, Serjilla was abandoned by its residents in the 7th century AD, when the power in the region  passed from the hands of the Byzantine rulers into the hands of new owners - the Muslims. It was during the period of the Umayyad dynasty reigh when the active trading between Apamea and Antioch ceased.

Serjilla is considered one of the best preserved  dead cities and occupies quite a large area. In the end of  2007, the site was restored further and neat paths were added so that the visitors can explore the location and get a full picture of how life was back in the day. The ruins feature various structures, including the necropolis, spas, olive press, residential villas which flourished due to the active agricultural trading, a Christian church and elaborate ornaments and limestone carvings.

Although Serjilla was not abandoned due to a disaster, the barren landscape around it creates an eerie ghost town feeling.

Gallery: The dead city of Serjilla

Location on map:

Read more about Syria off the beaten path
Find more off the beaten path near: Al Qardahah Damascus Hama Masyaf Nabk Palmyra Safita Set Zaynab بلشون

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