Arwad island
Arwad island is like a gem in the middle of the sea, with its amazing castle and its wall. Is located 3 KLM from tartus city
The population is about 10,000.
The Island is full of restaurants and bars and is crowded in the summer, The island is divided in 2 parts south and north and people from those parts speak different accents.
It is a Mediterranean island, just off the coast of Tartus. Its ancient roots as a Canaanite coastal settlement are described in Egyptian documents dating to the 2nd millennium BC. Arwad’s strategic location and trade-based economy made it a key colony in the Phoenician empire. The island was subsequently passed on to the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greek and finally the Romans under Alexander the Great. During the Roman period, however, the island’s strategic value was no longer nurtured, as such, the Arwad’s importance diminished while its onshore twin Tartus gained in stature.
Arwad was the last Crusader stronghold in the region and fell to the Arabs in the thirteenth century. Antique and medieval architectural remains denote a rich historic past. There are still fragments of the Phoenician walls, some parts of which have been used for squatter housing. Two main castles still stand on the island; the most visible being the Crusader defense fortress that stands at the center of Arwad. This citadel was used as a prison for Syrian nationalists fighting against the French mandate of Syria (1920-1946); traces of the resistance still mark the cells’ stonewalls. The second, an Arab castle located on the port side of the island, was used as a main trade point. This Arab castle has been recently renovated and converted into a museum.
The fabric of Arwad is dense, with narrow winding streets between the tight residential quarters. Today the isolated island is mainly a tourist site that is reached by a 20-minute boat ride from Tartus. Its economy depends on tourism, local crafts and maritime occupations (small trade and fishing).
The special nature of Arwad Island makes it more distinct in the life style of its people whose memories are full of sea legends and stories. Surrounded by the sea, Arwad inhabitants found in fishing and boat manufacturing the main source of livelihood. They worked hard to preserve the handicrafts and skill of their forefathers, the Phoenician, day after day, boat manufacturing, decorative shell industry, fishing and sponge fishing, were flourishing.
The sea constitutes an essential part of the inhabitants’ life where 70 % of them mastered the major professions, handicrafts and hobbies related to the sea.
Shell industry, in the first place, depends on collecting shells and corals, after which they are shaped in different kinds of presents and souvenirs.
The island represents an architectural sculpture. It has always been described as the five-storey city. It is located 3 km from Tartous, Syria’s largest port.
At last I say :Arwad is a marvelous island, everyone must visit, it is not a big city, the people there are very kind and helpful, and the beach side in Tartous new made. Best thing you do is going in sea trip it is very cheap, and you can see (Arwad castle) go up and see the city and the ships there small and big, it is a very nice view you will remember the end of your life. You must eat fish there, it is very tasty, and all the food are very good, by the way I am sure you are going to buy some souvenirs, to your friends and family, because they are handmade and cheap, most of them are made from shell ,when you go back to your home, I am sure you will wish to come back to Arwad, I went there many times and I wish, and ready to go more.
Butheina Alnounou