Tartous :
Tartous, this small harbor city with over 160 000
inhabitants, is now Syria's second port city. Formerly
known as Antaradus and Constantia in Latin or Antartus and
Tortosa by the Crusaders, it has developed rapidly over the
recent years, and has nearly lost its charm as a small
fishing town. However there are a few remains that the
Crusaders left that remind us of the past.
Tartous is 220 Km northwest of Damascus and less than an
hours drive south of Latakia. Quite a few sites nearby like
Amrit, Arwad, Krak Des
Chevaliers and Al Marqab can be visited on short day
excursions.
The History of
Tartous
Not much remains of the Phoenician Antaradus (Anti-Aradus -
the town facing Arwad), the mainland settlement that was
linked to the more important and larger settlement in
Arwad.
This town was favored by Constantine for its devotion to
the cult of the Virgin. The first chapel to be dedicated to
the Virgin Mary is said to have been built here in the 3rd
century. Two centuries later an earthquake hit the chapel
and the altar was miraculously saved. This miracle was
further enhanced by an icon of the Virgin believed to be
painted by St. Luke resembling the one in Seidnaya. The
church 'Our Lady of Tortosa' was built upon this miracle by
the Crusaders in 1123. It now houses this altar and has
received many pilgrims.
Nur Al Din occupied for a brief time and then it was
recaptured by the Crusaders. Tartous was placed under the
control of the Templars who rebuilt and redeveloped its
defenses. It was then recaptured by Saladin in 1188, whence
the Templars locked themselves into the keep. However it
was rebuilt and remained under Templar control until 1291.
Tartous was the last stand the Templars had on the mainland
of Syria departing to Arwad, which they kept for another
decade.
It was of little use to most, including the Ottomans and
the French, however in recent decades it has quickly
developed into Syria's second port. As for the Cathedral it
was used as a mosque for a while then as a barracks for the
Ottomans. It was renovated under the French and turned into
a museum.
Copyright © Syrian embassy-London 2005