The 'hardcore' former Syrian tourist resort - the small town of Maloula in the mountains

Entering the former holiday resort of Maloula in Syria, this city of miracles where religion and history intersect, is now desolate. Near the once glorious five-star hotel on the top of the mountain that is now destroyed, I only feel endless sighs. 📍Maloula, originally a charming town located in western Syria, is famous for its rich religious and historical heritage. This town is an Armenian-style town with thousands of years of history and is an important holy place for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. ⛰️Maloula has a unique landscape: the town is surrounded by mountains, and the magnificent canyons and cliffs are breathtaking. Against this magnificent backdrop, many religious buildings and ruins have witnessed the vicissitudes of history and the prosperity of religion. The most famous attraction is the Maloula Monastery, an important religious center for the Orthodox Church on the cliff. We climbed to the monastery on foot, admiring the spectacular scenery; entering the monastery, we were shocked by the ancient architecture and exquisite murals, immersed in a quiet atmosphere. In addition, Maloula has many ancient churches and mosques, such as the St. Sergius Monastery, the Elder Monastery, and the Umar Farouk Mosque. Each building carries a deep history and religious significance, giving people a solemn and solemn feeling. Walking on the streets of Maloula, I can imagine how prosperous it once was. There may be old shops, traditional handicrafts, and local gourmet restaurants in the alleys, but now there are few people and the prosperity is no longer there, and all I see is desolation. 💡A small episode: When we were looking for the sculpture on the top of the mountain, we asked the few remaining local old people. The old man gestured and said it was 'tut tut tut' dropped. The old man's expression was very calm, as if he was used to being 'tut tut tut'. Maloula is a town full of religious and historical beauty, it will bring you shock and thought.