The archaeological hall in the Forty martyrs Cathedral in Homs is a historical landmark

The archaeological hall in the Forty Martyrs Cathedral in Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood in the center of Homs is one of the most prominent archaeological landmarks in this city which is rich in archaeological monuments – having witnessed the  successive civilizations in Syria.

The hall was built next to the Forty Martyrs Cathedral on the ruins of the ancient great church- the oldest church  in Homs which dates back to the fourth century AD where Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine, built a number of Churches and monasteries.

 The hall was built with a unique authentic architectural style, as it contains artistic aesthetic elements and covers  an approximate area of 160 square meters. The ceiling was of polished stone and the walls of black basalt stone that distinguishes the city of Homs. The presence of the hall within the walls of the ancient Homs in Bustan Al-Diwan gave it a distinctive archaeological character because of its closeness to the most important ancient monasteries of Saint Elian Al-Homsi and the Jesuits, the Church of Umm Al-Zanar, a number of ancient mosques  such as Al-Nuri Grand Mosque, Qasr Abd al-Hamid al-Zahrawi, the ancient covered market, and ancient Ghassani Orthodox schools. The hall is of great social importance to the people of the neighborhood, as it is still receives them in their joys and sorrows.

 The hall has opened its doors wide for many years to art galleries, cultural and scientific symposia, poetry evenings, literary gatherings, and many art theatrical performances, in addition to embracing dozens of educational activities.

During the years of war, the hall maintained its cultural and social role which increased after the liberation of the city in 2014. It was restored and prepared to open its doors after a year.

For his part, Archbishop Georgios Abu Zakhkem, the  Bishop of Homs, described the hall as  a prominent cultural and intellectual icon, highlighting its importance due to its proximity to the Roman Orthodox Archdiocese, , which had the primary role in the rise of the city of Homs.

In turn, Emile Farha, head of the Syndicate of Fine Artists in Homs, said that the hall hosted many art galleries, thus  giving the artworks an additional aesthetic touch that combines the past and the present and brings to our minds the masterpieces that our ancestors presented in the ancient architectural style.

Inas Abdulkareem