BSY_FB_06_p011

11.

Derḳîta. November 6, 1899

This extensive ruined town lies due north
of Baḳirḥa about 20 minutes, far below it
yet within the valley; but in one of the low northern
foothills of the Djebel Berîsha. The northern
and southern portions of the town are on higher
ground than the centre. The ruins embrace
three churches of fair size with other
eccesiastical buildings adjacent and a
considerable number of domestic builldings
most of which have been torn down to build
a Saracenic castle which seems to have
been built on this site in the middle ages.

Arabic tombstones dated from the 10th-12th
century are found in the vicinity. (E.L. insc. 10)

S. Church. The church in the southern extremity of the ruin
is of simple plan with square East end and
was divided by 2 rows of columns - The apse was
arched as is usual in churches of plan no. 3.
The church is much dilapiddated, only the
South and East walls with a single pilaster