Sightseeing in Hama - what to see. Complete travel guide

Scientists assume that there was already a settlement in the Hama region during the Neolithic and Iron Age. At that time, the settlement was called Hamat, which is not much different from the current name. Together with Damascus, this town formed the central part of the Aramaic kingdom. When Macedonia attacked Hama, the Syrian region got a new name – Epiphaneia. However, Macedonians couldn’t keep this territory for a long time and soon they had to give the region to a new owner, the Byzantine Empire. The crusaders remained rulers in Hama in the 12th century, but Saladin managed to capture it in the 80s of the 12th century. This wasn’t the last change of a ruler in Hama.
It is simply impossible to visit Hama and forget to see a unique landmark that has made this city internationally famous – the Norias. This construction of ancient engineers is widely recognized as the main landmark of the Syrian city. In the past, these large wooden wheels were a part of the irrigation system that delivered water to fields. Ancient Egyptians and Persians were the main “users” of the norias. There is a curious fact about this construction – all wheels are made from different materials. Ancient engineers used different types of wood, so it could take centuries to make one noria.

In the middle of the 6th century, Byzantine Emperor Justinian I ordered to build Qasr Ibn Wardan not far from Hama. This was not just a palace but a whole district consisting of several buildings – a palace, basilica, numerous barracks for the emperor’s army, and service buildings. Unfortunately, Qasr Ibn Wardan now mostly lies in ruins. However, even these ruins show how splendid and impressive the complex was in the past.

The Nur al-Din Mosque or Jami' al-Nuri appeared in Hama in the 70s of the 12th century. If you look closer to the mosque, you will notice Arabian writing on its wall. The writing says that Nur al-Din ordered to build this mosque and Hama’s rulers agreed to make annual payments for students who studied in this “temple of knowledge”. There are two norias near the mosque. The building itself is made from light bricks and has an elegant pattern on its wall. It is better to visit Jami' al-Nuri in the evening because the illumination makes the mosque even more beautiful.

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City tours, excursions and tickets in Hama and surroundings
Reference information
Survived castles around Hama
♥ Castle 'Shaizar' , 22.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Masyaf Castle' , 38.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Qalaat al-Madiq' , 44.6 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Citadel of Homs' , 46.6 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Krak des Chevaliers' , 59.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Shaizar' , 22.3 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Masyaf Castle' , 38.4 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Qalaat al-Madiq' , 44.6 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Citadel of Homs' , 46.6 km from the center. On the map


♥ Castle 'Krak des Chevaliers' , 59.9 km from the center. On the map


National and city parks around Hama
♥ National Park 'Mashgara' , 178.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Mashgara' , 178.7 km from the center. On the map


Sightseeing in Syria: things to see


Search touristic sites on the map of Hama

