Qala'at Semaan

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The 'Amuq Valley

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St. Simeon-Stylites (Qala'at Semaan)

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This famous Christian pilgrimage centre is situated on a hill top overlooking the town of Deir es-Semaan in the 'Afrin Valley below. The complex consists of a monastery, a baptistery with adjoining church, propylaea and a unique church or martyrion, which is made up 4 basilicas joined around a central octagonal area in the form of a Greek cross. The complex was built in the 5th century AD to commemorate the life of a famous 5th century AD local ascetic monk, Simeon, who achieved fame by spending 40 years up a pillar not talking to anyone if he could help it! Whatever the nature of St. Simeon's sanctity or sanity, the church itself is a masterpiece of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture, commanding truly stunning views over the limestone landscape of the 'Afrin Valley. At the centre of the building is the remaining stump of what is reported to be the very pillar that supported the saint for all those years, greatly reduced today by the numerous pilgrims who have taken pieces away as holy relics.

	The basilica church of St. Simon Stylites (F. Cobbing, 1999)
View from the baptistery of the four-basilica building.
	Qala’at Semaan, looking North. (Duncan Mackenzie, 1911) PEF/P/MACK NO. 295
This photograph, taken, from the baptistery, shows the main martyrion church of St. Simeon, with the monastery to the right, prior to restoration and tourist development of the complex. Today, Qala’at Semaan is one of Syria’s most popular sites, and is certainly one of its great attractions.

Last modified 03/11/2002