Quneitra Church

The Greek Orthodox Church is considered as  one of the most important archaeological sites in al-Quneitra , it  has  historical and religious significance  in the Golan Heights. 

The  Church is located on the eastern side of the city of Quneitra at the first eastern  entrance to the city near the  bank  to the east of the Quneitra’s  famous  tower. 

The  Church’s  walls were decorated with marble  and candlesticks which were  imported  from Europe. This increased its beauty and greatness,  before  the  Israeli aggression in 1967 turned it into rubbles .

The church  which has  a square form, is  built of  solid  black basalt stone  .The building  as a whole  composed of two layers, on the roof of the church there are two minarets with about   6 meters height. In addition to the circular dome of the church, which is beautifully located beside  the  two  minarets  . This dome contains a large  number of  windows  that allow sunlight to enter the heart of the Church for light  and ventilation.

The church is surrounded by  a wall of basalt  in addition to a small garden at the western entrance of the church.

Anyone can enter  the  church from  the western side which  contains a hall of baptism , worship, prayers and masses.

According to the eastern side of the church, there are two doors and  staircase of cement  which enable people to ascend to the second floor and to  the roof of the church.

After the Israeli occupation of  al-Quneitra,  most parts of  the “Greek Orthodox Church”  have  been exposed to destruction   especially the southern side and the  stairs and  the wall  that surrounds it.

The Church was visited by His Holiness Pope  John  Pual II  in the year 2001 during his historic visit to Syria, where he delivered a speech and planted an  olive  tree  praying  that peace would prevail on this earth.

M.Wassouf