Qala'at Samaan (قلعة سمعان)
Qala'at Samaan is the ruined remains of four basilicas devoted to St. Simeon Stylites who lived from about 388 to 459 AD. He lived on and preached from a pillar for about 36 years. Simeon was very famous during his life. People visited him from far. Some people came all the way from England to see him. The basilicas were built after Simeons death, and are arranged in a cross shape around the remains of the pillar. More information on St. Simeon can be found at Wikipedia (new window).
Qala'at Samaan lies north of Aleppo. It's not difficult to imagine this was once the biggest church in the world. The landscape around the site is beautiful. Southwest from the basilica, the remains a gigantic monastry (Deir Samaan) can be found. See next page.
Basilica
Remains of the pillar
Remains of the pillar
Basilica
An annex
Basilica
Basilica
Basilica
View from an annex
Basilica