Qalaat Al Madiq

Qalaat Al Madiq

Al Madiq Castle

Overview:

• Qalaat al-Madiq is located approximately fifty kilometers northwest of the city of Hama. It is located on a rocky plateau that rises slightly from the eastern plateau of Wadi al-Ghab and on which the city of Apamea is located, the two plateaus form an archaeological hill separated by a valley.

Historic overview:

• The fortress acquired through its history an important strategic location, as the surrounding plain was a large swamp, which was confirmed by recent archaeological surveys, which proved the presence of a large number of human settlement sites, dating back to 6000 years.

• Its real founder is Seleucus Nicator I, who built the city of (Apamia) and built with it its castle.

• Then the castle entered the possession of the Romans in 64 AD, and the Byzantines, then the Muslim Arabs conquered it in 638 AD.

Architectural Description:

• Despite the disappearance of most of the internal structures in the castle, but the external walls and towers that still exist, give a clear idea of the magnitude and strength of the building.

• From the inside, the castle contains a number of ancient Ayyubid and Ottoman cellars that are used as homes for the residents. Modern construction is spread from the middle of the last century, with some Ottoman houses, which makes it difficult to trace the archaeological remains inside. While the slopes of the hill on which the castle resides were leveled to become very steep, it was also provided with stone lamination from all sides to prevent landslides, and to ensure adequate protection for the castle.

• The Antiquities Directorate recently acquired the people's modern buildings inside the castle in preparation for the completion of restoration and rehabilitation works in one of the most important historical and tourist attractions in Syria.

Resources:

discover-syria website

esyria.sy website

1. No comments