A Syrian-Hungarian mission works in Al-Marqab Castle site to assess the damage caused by the earthquake 

With the participation of 14 Syrian and Hungarian experts, the joint Syrian-Hungarian mission continued to work in Al-Marqab Castle site in Tartous for the first season of 2023 to accurately assess the damage caused by the earthquake under the supervision of Dr. Balaj Mayor for the Hungarian side and Engineer Marwan Hassan for the Syrian side.

The head of the Antiquities Department in Tartous, Engineer Marwan Hassan, explained in a statement to a SANA New Agency reporter that the joint mission began its work in Al-Marqab Castle at the beginning of this month, as many buildings within the castle being damaged in varying proportions between partial collapse and cracking, in addition to the appearance of cracks of varying severity in the buildings, some of which are dangerous such as the main gate tower and the inner fort buildings, which necessitated the suspension of visits to the castle in order to ensure the safety of visitors.

Hassan pointed out that the main task of the mission is to carry out excavations, historical and architectural studies, not restoration work. However, during many previous seasons, assistance and expertise were provided in preparing restoration and consolidation projects that would later be approved and implemented by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.

Hassan in the end brought light that the department has prepared studies for the restoration and consolidation of many buildings in the castle, especially the most damaged ones, explaining that the restoration work needs a large budget and is linked to the availability of the necessary funds.

Leen Al Salman