The Seven Gates of Homs

The gates of Homs are the historical gates of the ancient city of Homs. During the Roman era the city had four gates, namely Bab Al-Rastan, Bab al-Sham, Bab al-Jabal, and Bab al- Saghir.  The Abbasids reconstructed and restored the gates, adding three new ones, so they became seven.

These gates remained the center of attention of the successive states and dynasties that ruled Homs, until the Ottomans destroyed it during the nineteenth century, in line with the expansion of the city and the increase of its inhabitants, as a result, Only two gates—Bab Tadmor and Bab al-Dreib—remain today.

 Behind the gates of Homs, the Old City is located, which contains the oldest historical mosques and churches, in addition to landmarks that date to the Mamluki era.

 The historical gates of Homs

Bab al-Souk, (Gate of the Market) is  historically  believed to be Bab al-Rastan. It was located in the southwestern corner of al- Nuri Mosque.

Bab Tadmor (Gate of Palmyra) is located to the northeastern side. It goes back to before the Islamic conquest of the Levant, as the region was an important commercial corridor for the caravans crossing between Palmyra and Homs city.

Bab al-Dreib or (Bab al-Deir), some historians believed that its original name is “Bab al-Deir” and it dates back to before the Islamic conquest as well .

Bab al-Sebaa (Gate of the Lions) which is still today, is located to the east of the historic Citadel of Homs, inside the Old City.

Bab al-Turkman, (Gate of the Turkmen), is located in the northwest corner of the castle, where the castle meets the city wall, and some of its remains are still visible with polished pieces of stone. It is believed that its name dates back to the eleventh century when some Turkmen tribes inhabited the city in that region.

Bab al-Masdoud, (Closed Door), located just north of Bab al-Turkman. It was built by the ruler Mansur Ibrahim.

Bab Hood (The Gate of Hood), whose name is related to the Prophet Hood. It  is the largest and most important gate that goes back to before the conquest and is believed to be “Bab Al Jabal.”

Amal Farhat