Mahajjah… Unique Archaeological Landmarks

(ST) – On the western side of the Al-Lajat area and on the eastern edge of Houran, Mahajjah town is located amidst a series of volcanic hills. The town derives its importance from being an old town, which includes a collection of archaeological sites, historical buildings and monuments that date back to different periods of time, the most important of which is the old mosque, the ancient houses, the baths and some palaces.

Al-Arram valley runs through the town and gives it a unique aesthetic character. The town overlooks valley, which penetrates its fertile lands.

 It is a quiet town characterized by its charming nature and fresh air and water. It is surrounded by a series of low-rise volcanic hills, “Meqdad” 633 meter,  “al -Sagheer”  620 meter, and some artificial hills such as “al –Khotaibah” hill 693 meter and “Qasswa” hill 601 meter.

Mahajjah town is far from the city of Damascus about 63 km and it is far from Daraa city about 45 km. It covers an area of 40,000 km2, with a population of 20,000.

The name of ” Mahajjah”, which means the “destination of pilgrimages”, came from the word Hajj that means “the intention”, and as a technical term for its location on the road of convoys  of pilgrims who were coming from “Damascus and the northern areas” to Mecca “Hijaz,” where the convoys make a stop to rest because the suffering they may face on the roads.

The town was a gathering for most of pilgrims who were coming from different places. The pilgrims were waiting for some of their relatives, or friends because of delays. In another meaning, the town was a meeting point for the late pilgrims to meet their acquaintances who were coming from distant places  and then continue their journey on their camels.

The pilgrims also were providing themselves with water and other needs from the town.

The old town includes a collection of sites and historical buildings date back to the Byzantine and Roman periods, the most important of which are the “Omari mosque, baths, some palaces, and many old houses.  These houses were inhabited by al-Geldeh, al -Okla and al -Jalam families but these houses are deserted now because the owners built modern houses that suit the modern time.

 And most of all is the basaltic stone underground route that links between the Temple and  the fountains of water and other temples on the other side, some of these buildings are still in good condition like churches, palaces, chambers, wells, canals and oil presses.

The town has a railway station that links between Damascus  and Hijaz. The station was built during the Ottoman occupation to Syria. It was constructed in 1908 and it is still working.

The town is surrounded with farms of olives, grapes, peaches and pears. The plains of the town are usually planted with cereals especially wheat and barley. It also produces all kinds of vegetables in addition to honey. The farmers also keep poultry to sell their products of eggs and meat.

The town is characterized by customs and traditions that are considered a part of their heritage. These traditions are manifested through the community involvement in all social events, and these aspects of cooperation are still existed, especially in wedding and woe events. This cooperation among the people  could be  seen  in seasons of agricultural work such as plough, harvesting and picking fruits.

Sharif al -Khatib