Homs :
Homs is located in a strategic point between the Desert and
the coast in a break between the mountains known as the
Homs gap. It is an industrial city and Syria's most
important oil-refining center. It is also a main center for
sugar refining and has a plant for treating phosphates, one
of Syria's largest exported products, mined in Palmyra.
This city is very close to Tartous Syria's second port, and
to the northern Lebanese border near Tripoli. It is also
the usual stop for passengers traveling the long
Aleppo-Damascus route.
Homs does not offer much to tourists, as it has always been
an industrial city. Although excursions to the crusader
castle, Krak des Chevaliers and other sites are available
from here.
The History of
Homs
This city goes back to long before the Roman times,
although it was always overshadowed by the kingdom of Hama.
This city was known in Roman times as the city of Emesa and
had strong connections with the Severid Dynasty. Julia
Domna the daughter of a high priest of Emesa married
Septimius Severus, while he was stationed here. He later
became emperor of Rome. When he was transferred to Rome
Julia took over and was a principal figure in the dynasty's
fortunes. Emesa's fortunes were always tied with the trade
city of Palmyra. As long as Palmyra flourished so did
Emesa. When Zenobia was defeated at Palmyra in about 272
AD, Emesa declined.
Christianity established itself in Emesa early on, as 3rd
to 7th century catacombs were found in houses in the
eastern quarter, where quite a large population of
Christians still live. After Arab conquest, it is said that
500 of the prophet's companions came and settled here. Homs
became important, again but by the 18th century Homs had
sunk into a state of weakness.
Copyright © Syrian embassy-London 2005