BSY_FB_15-15

15

Ḳalʿat Simʿān November 26, 1899

From Dêret ʿAzze I journeyed with Khalil and
George over the barren rocky hills to the
greatest ruin of all northern Syria, the ancient
shrine of Saint Simeon Stylites, while the rest of
the party ascended Shêkh Barekât.

Long before we reached the ruin we could
see its high walls and arches crowning the
summit of a steep conical hill at the east
side of a rolling plain in which can be seen
extensive ruins of 2 large towns, Dêr Simʿān and
Refadi - and further to the left, near the foot
of Shêkh Barekât, Ḳatura.

Church. The great quadruple church of St. Simeon,
with its dependencies, is in a remarkable
state of preservation. The extensive ground
plan published by DeVogüé is perfectly defined
and a goodly portion of the superstructure is
in situ. Five arches of the great central
octagon are standing, beginning at the north; each
arch is beautifully constructed of carefully