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The church of Qalb Loze in Syria dates back to the 460s AD and is one of the best-preserved churches of this period in the region

Qalb Loze, or “the Heart of the Almond,” is a Druze village in Syria located between Antioch and Aleppo. It is situated near the border with Turkey and is part of an area known as the “Dead Cities.” The village is well-noted for its large fifth-century stone church and other Byzantine-era ruins.

The church of Qalb Loze, Syria. Photo Credit
The church of Qalb Loze, Syria. Photo Credit

 

The church at Qalb Lozeh dates back to the 460s AD. Photo Credit
The church at Qalb Lozeh dates back to the 460s AD. Photo Credit

It is believed that the church was built during the lifetime of St. Simeon or right after his death.

Unfortunately, none of the preserved inscriptions at the church show by whom it was founded, but since the local workmen responsible for the sculptural decoration seem to have been assisted by master masons from Antioch, it is tempting to assume that the initiative came from the city.

The church is now thought to have been built during the lifetime of St. Simeon. Photo Credit
The church is now thought to have been built during the lifetime of St. Simeon. Photo Credit

Typologically, the church belongs to a special Syrian derivation of the standard-basilica, the so-called Weitarkadenbasilika, where the columns that in traditional Byzantine church architecture separate the aisles from the nave have been replaced with low piers and soaring arches that create the feeling of expanded space.

It is a design which can be regarded as a first step towards placing two bell towers at the sides of the entrance.

The towers housed steps which gave access to galleries from which believers could attend ceremonies when the church was full.

 

The church is the first known in Syria with the wide basilica. Photo Credit
The church is the first known in Syria with the wide basilica. Photo Credit

The whole construction is based on the Roman construction technique, use of concrete and reduction of the ceiling weight, which was achieved in various ways, including leaving a large opening at the center of the vault similar to the Pantheon of Rome.

 

It served the population of Qirqbizé, a village located at a distance of just over a mile. Photo Credit
It served the population of Qirqbizé, a village located at a distance of just over a mile. Photo Credit

 

It is strikingly similar in architectural style and craftsmanship to the large pre-Islamic Syrian churches. Photo Credit
It is strikingly similar in architectural style and craftsmanship to the large pre-Islamic Syrian churches. Photo Credit

The church is also similar in architectural style and craftsmanship to the large pre-Islamic Syrian churches in El Anderin, Kerratin, Turmanin and Ruweha, which may have been built by the same workshops or guilds.

 

Since Gertrude Bell's visit in the early 1900s, the town has grown, and the church is now surrounded by modern houses.Photo Credit
Since Gertrude Bell’s visit in the early 1900s, the town has grown, and the church is now surrounded by modern houses.Photo Credit

 

The site was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2011. Photo Credit
The site was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2011. Photo Credit

Qalb Loze was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2011 as a part of the “Ancient Villages of Northern Syria” listing. The church is one of the best-preserved churches of this period in the region.

Marija Georgievska

Marija Georgievska is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News