Date: 12/8/04
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At 110 m. above sea level, at a distance of 140 km. east of Aleppo and 105 km. west of Deir- Ezzor, Al- Raqqa stands on the mighty Euphrates river where the most ancient civilizations flourished.
A small town was established there during the Hellenistic period, then it grew in importance when it became a border fortress for the Roman and Byzantine Empires against the Parthians and Persians.
After its conquest by the Arab, the Abbassid caliph Al- Mansur in 772 A.D., it was named Al- Rafika.
The town flourished and was adorned by many monuments of Arab- Islamic architecture during the time of the most famous Abbassid Caliph, Haroun Al- Rashid who made it his summer headquarters. But these monuments were destroyed to a great extent by the Moguls. The most important remains are parts of the surrounding wall and the huge Baghdad Gate.
There are also the Palace of the Daughters’, adorned with beautiful decorations, and Rafika Mosque, with its outstanding gates and minaret.
Al- Raqqa museum contains archaeological finds discovered in the surrounding tels mounts and sites.
About 35 kms south of Al- Raqqa and 170 km. South east of Aleppo, Rassafa is a well preserved, completely deserted, ancient town standing in the Euphrates through an advanced water system.
It was conquered by the Persians in 616 B.C and its water supply system was known as Sergiopolis of the Byzantine period and it was an important religious centre.
It had been used by the Omayed Caliph Hisham Bin Abdul Malek as a desert dwelling.
The surrounding wall and defensive towers of the town (nearly intact) were built with gypsum, which made them shine after each rain fall. Among its main buildings are St. Sergius Church and the Martyrium.
At 45 km. South west of Palmyra Al- Hir Al- Gharbi Palace was built by the Omayad Caliph Hisham Bin Abdul Malek (around 727 A.D.) as a desert resort. It is a square building |