ENPages That Mention Burdj Baḳirhā
Butler Diary: Northern and Central Syria I, 1899
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Khirbet el-Khaṭîb November 4, 1899
This small ruined town is situated in the valley between the northern end of the mountains of the Djebel Berîsha and the cluster of foothills which lie to the north. It is distant about an hour from Bashmishli and on the way to it one must pass through the extensive ruins of Burdj Baḳirhā and Bāḳirḥā itself.
The town presents few well preserved specimens of architecture, the houses being almost all in the plain quadrated style.
The church is small and much fallen; it was built in the simplest plan with sq. east end flanked by chapels. S.E. of the churches is a small square building which doubtless served as a baptistry, here are remains of a font-basin in a niche in the East wall. The fallen lintel bears a (536 A.D.) Semitic insc (Syriac) ^ (E.L. insc. 5) ^ with letters upside down showing a second use of the stone in the 12th century ? Col. with cubical plinth on hill.
Butler Diary: Northern and Central Syria II, 1899
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Last edit 8 months ago by denise22334@gmail.com
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The temple was unquestionably sacred to ^ a ^ local divinity identified with Zeus and must have been completed as early if not earlier than the gate of the temenos.
It is a curious fact that the structure was never wholely finished - the base mouldings of three of the columns and other mouldings in various parts of the building having been only hacked out for the final work of the sculptor. It is easily conceivable that the rapid growth of Christianity which flourished so early in Syria, as is represented by the large number of early churches erected in this region, checked the building of the pagan shrine before its completion.
The building is not a large one, measuring 20 x 57ft. over all. It is built of the best stone of the region, in well squared and fitted blocks.
The style is an excellent specimen of Roman classic - the columns ^ 20ft high ^ of perfect proportions are of the unfluted Corinthian order and rest on low pedestals 1 1/2ft. high, the angles of the cella
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are reinforced by simple pilasters and the ends of the dividing wall of the cella are indicated on the exterior wall by a similar feature.
The mouldings throughout are of classic style, those of the pilasters are encircled by a fine egg and dart below the uppermost member and a simple row of conventional acanthus leaves above the neck.
The pediment of the Western gable bears a fine relief of an eagle with wings outspread and holding a wreath. The corner of the cornice seems to have been enriched by a relief decoration of wreaths or garlands.
The whole design is one of dignified simplicity, such a design as Greek artists were wont to make of the Roman orders. The execution of the artists, as seen in the remaining capital and on the moulding, is exceedingly refined even in the native stone which is very different from marble in quality.
