Deir al-Salib explained

Official Name:Deir al-Salib
Native Name:دير الصليب
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Syria
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Syria
Coordinates:35.0861°N 36.4472°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:Hama
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Masyaf
Subdivision Type3:Subdistrict
Subdivision Name3:Masyaf
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Total:2,946
Population As Of:2004
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+3

Deir al-Salib (Arabic: دير الصليب, also spelled Deir al-Sleib or Deir al-Suleib) is a village in northern Syria, administratively part of the Hama Governorate, located 37 kilometers west of Hama. Nearby localities include Bil'in to the southeast, al-Rabiaa to the east, Asilah to the northeast, Jubb Ramlah to the north, al-Laqbah and Deir Mama to the northwest, Masyaf to the west, al-Suwaydah to the southwest and Baarin and Aqrab to the south. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, Deir al-Salib had a population of 2,946 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Alawites and Greek Orthodox Christians.[2]

History

In the early 19th-century the Ottoman governor of Damascus, Abdullah Pasha al-Azm, granted the leaseholds of Deir al-Salib and its satellite farms to a close associate of his, Muhammad Gharib Bey al-Azm.[3]

Byzantine church

Just outside Deir al-Salib is a 5th-6th century Byzantine-era church surrounded by fig trees.[4] It is built in the architectural style typical of the Justinian period in Syria, with its two chapels.[5] Its stone walls have a beige and ochre color. At the right of the entrance is a baptistery which still contains a cross-shaped baptismal. The narthex of the church is preceded by a central atrium and five columns demarcate its aisles. The apse is semi-circular and on the ground floor stands a gallery reserved for women. A small mausoleum containing three sarcophagi is situated at the side of the baptistery. The sarcophagi had engraved medallions that fitted crosses.[4]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20130112143403/http://www.cbssyr.org/new%20web%20site/General_census/census_2004/NH/TAB05-15-2004.htm General Census of Population and Housing 2004
  2. [Eli Smith|Smith]
  3. Douwes, 2000, p. 170.
  4. Michelin, 2011, p. 216.
  5. Book: Fifth International Colloquium on Ancient Mosaics: Held at Bath, England on September 5-12, 1987. 1995. Association internationale pour l'étude de la mosaïque antique, Association for the Study and Preservation of Roman Mosaics, Betty Morgan May Memorial Fund. Journal of Roman Archaeology. 9781887829007 .