The Dead Cities — Byzantine Ghost Towns of Northern Syria

Between Aleppo and Idlib lie the Dead Cities — hundreds of abandoned Byzantine stone villages, still standing among the hills after 1,500 years. Officially the "Ancient Villages of Northern Syria," they are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to see

• Around 700 sites — houses, churches, olive presses and tombs, remarkably preserved, as if the inhabitants left yesterday. The Jabal al-Zawiya area and villages like Serjilla are among the most famous.
• Qalb Lozeh — one of the oldest churches in the world (5th century), whose design influenced later church architecture.
• Saint Simeon (Qalaat Semaan) — the ruins of a vast 5th-century basilica built around the pillar of Simeon the Stylite, near Aleppo.

Getting there

The sites are scattered across the countryside and need a car — there's no easy public transport. From Damascus it's about 4 hours (via Homs and Hama), best as a full day or with an overnight. We arrange a private trip with a driver who plans the route. See the Syria travel guide.

Wherever your road leads, we'll get you there.