Iconic site among nine Syrian landmarks added to ICESCO Islamic World Heritage Lists

Afamia Added to Islamic Heritage List

Syria’s ancient site of Afamia is one of nine new Syrian landmarks added to ICESCO Islamic World Heritage Lists.

“Afamia emerged as one of the most important cities renowned for mosaic art,” explained Syrian researcher Mustafa Raadoun. “The Afamia school of architecture was present across almost the entire Mediterranean basin, even in Tunisia and other places.”

“Many mosaic panels were produced in Afamia and then transported to other locations. Today, you can find that many churches and buildings were constructed with mosaic floors,” he went on.

Ancient Legacy of Afamia

Footage on Monday shows the archaeological site, over 2,300 years old, with marble columns stretching into the distance and ancient inscriptions carved on them. It was fortified and expanded in 300 BC by one of Alexander the Great’s general’s Seleucus I Nicator, who named it after his wife, the Persian princess Apama.

Raadoun said inclusion on the list was vital: “Why? To protect it. If a trader now takes a piece of it and sells it, you can then recover it even if it is in America, because it is officially registered.”

Heritage Recognition After 14 Years

It ends a 14-year hiatus for Syria on the international registry, with the announcement made by the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums.

“Afamia is almost the only ancient city in the world that still retains its walls completely. The wall is seven kilometers long, and along with its towers, it remains fully intact, with nothing missing,” Raadoun said.

Nine Syrian Sites Recognised

On May 25, the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums of the Transitional Syrian Government announced the registration of nine new heritage sites on the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) list.

These included Salah al-Din Castle in Latakia, the Umayyad Mosque, al-Azm Palace, and Anbar Office in Damascus, as well as Damascus Castle, the Omari Mosque in Daraa, the archaeological site of Afamia in Hama, the Waqf Library in Aleppo, and the archaeological site of Al-Lajat in Daraa.