The City of Al-Qseir

“Al-Qsier” name comes from the fact that this city had been a hotbed for deer in the past. Since its very beginning,  the city did not suffer any kind of persecution  and its people did not experience feudalism. The city’s inhabitants were the actual owners of their land.

Thanks to al-Assi River which runs through its lands, the city flourished as people began to cultivate their lands, as well as houses increased. Throughout its history al-Qsier has hosted many of the princes and kings, the most important  was  the campaign of  “Muhammad Ali Pasha” to the Levant, led by his son, “Ibrahim Pasha”.  As a result many Egyptian families stayed in  ” al-Qsier ” after the campaign to the Levant because of their love for this city.

The city’s population reaches to 42 thousand. More than 40 villages are administratively  affiliated to the city.  It is linked with  “Homs” via  transportation routes that ensure the city’s residents a direct contact with the rest of the villages. In  the past,  there was  a significant railway station which linked Syria with Lebanon through “Riyaq – Aleppo” railway. But after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war all journeys via this line were stopped.

Because of  its climate and the fertility of the land,  al-Qsier people produce various kinds of agricultural crops.  Apples, apricots, wheat and barley which has its own features , in addition to various kinds of olive trees growing  in this area justifying  the large number of olive presses in al-Qsier.

Al-Qsier  contains many  significant  archaeological sites  such as the Romanian  mill of  “Om al-Ragheef”, and  the “Arch” which is a  famous archaeological site that also dated back  to the Roman history.  The archaeological city of “Jose”, and Prophet Mando Tel, what is called “Kadesh, ” are also among  the important archeological sites . There is also the  newly discovered cave of  “Zeta” which dates back , according to scientists, to more than 80 million years .

Amal Farhat