Tartous

Tartous

Syria's largest port after Latakia, enjoys a strategic location in the middle of the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. During the Phoenician era, Tartous was known as Intrados. In Roman times, it became a vital military base providing a supply and landing seaport, remains of which are still visible. In the Middle Ages, when the Crusaders took their cause to the Holy Land, Tartous was an important stronghold for the Knights Templar, who called the town Tortosa. Remnants of the Knights' medieval town walls and ramparts, as well as the site of a 12th-century cathedral can be seen near the waterfront. The church?s rather austere exterior is no coincidence as the building was designed with its own defense in mind. The interior is a pleasant surprise, with graceful curves and arches and a small museum. With Syria's long and turbulent history, places of interest range from magnificent Crusader castles to Roman ruins. Its capital, Damascus, is said by its citizens to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, although the claim is disputed by Aleppo.

Shopping

Items of interest may include inlaid backgammon boards and jewelry boxes, brass ware and embroidered linens. Many shops close between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Food

Many dishes are similar to those found elsewhere in the Middle East. Meals usually start with maqlubbeh, a tasty appetizer consisting of steamed rice topped with slices of grilled eggplant, tomato and pine nuts. A popular main course is mary-ya. The dish is made of a thin pastry base with a topping of minced meat and spices, then folded over and but into sandwich-like squares. For dessert, try pastry filled with cream cheese and covered with syrup and ice cream.

Currency

The local currency is the Syrian pound.

Weather Forecast