Butler Notes: Islamic Architecture in Central and Northern Syria

Serdjilla

Pyramidal tomb, Serdjilla

plan, Pyramidal tomb, Serdjilla

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Dallôzā

This ruin was visited by only one of the members of the Am. Exped. in 1900. The town was of about the same size as Serdjilla, and was thus of about medium dimensions. The site is now inhabited in summer by a few families from a neighbouring village. These settlers have done little injury to the ruins, having settled in one small quarter.

Church. The church here is completely ruined, only a portion of the apse being in position, but the while plan may be made out in the ruins. It appears to be of the early (IX century) type.

Houses. Here are the finest in all the district of the Djebel Rîhā, and are in a remarkable state of preservation. The group of houses East of the church presents some beautiful specimens of carving, and the vestibule leading from the North and passing through the house, is a charming specimen of interior carving. The stone floor of the ground chamber over the vestibule and its stone roof are both preserved.

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Dallôzā

Villa I. The large villa at the N.W. corner of the ruins is the handsomest, and one of the best preserved private residences in Central Syria. The home plan is simple and of the usual type, except that the stables are provided for in the rear. The front wall of the 3 compartments was designed with large door and window openings in both floors and these openings are richly moulded.

The 2 story colonnade, which is completely preserved in both stories at the Eastern end, is a rich testament of the Corinthian style as employed by the best artists of syria during the V and VI centuries.

The courtyard was long and narrow, for there was a row of buildings on the South side opposite the main house. These buildings, owing to their position on the slope, have almost completely disintergrated. Three of the handsome portals of this house bear inscriptions, but not one of them is dated.