Citadel of Shayzar

The castle of Shayzar, also spelt as Shaizar, stood overlooking the fertile plains of the Gharb. It was situated half way between Skelbieh and Hama. Like Skelbieh, Shayzar belonged to the governorate of Hama. It had a long history of occupation, with the original settlement by one of Alexander's Thessalonian cavalry forces in the first century BC. The medieval fortress was ruled by the 12th century Banu Munqidh dynasty.
Prince Usamah Mundqidh was known as a poet and a writer and wrote many poetry anthologies and a book titled Kitab al-I'tibar. He wrote about the life of Shayzar in the 12th century, portraying Muslim life at that time. An earthquake at Shayzar in 1157 killed most of his family. He was exiled from Shaizar by his uncle in 1131 and died in 1188 in Damascus at the age of 93.
The castle's structure suffered greatly from two major earthquakes and the ravages of time. It bordered on the northern side of Skelbieh's Greek Orthodox twin sister town of Mahardah.

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Saha

For me, laughter and friendship walked hand in hand. My dear friend Saha and I were sure to become buddies after our first meeting because as we found out, we both shared a love of the absurd. Saha was to become my closest friend during the years I spent in Syria. When she smiled her face lit up and she reminded me of a cheeky leprechaun. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind on any subject and was gifted with a quick wit and a sharp mind. Saha was ten years my junior and was a pharmacist who owned a chemist in the village of Qa'at al Madiq. She had an inquiring mind, which to me was a wonderful quality and suffice to say was one of the reasons we became such good friends. She was interested in not only her day to day existence but also learning about the culture of other countries, music, art and history. She found it difficult to sit still and loved to always be on the go. Her husband Samir, was a nose and throat specialist and they enjoyed the same love of adventure that Fawaz and I did.
We shared wonderful memories of touring the historical sites of Syria together, both on our motorbikes or in a convoy of cars.
Saha and I were pregnant at the same time, she with her first child and me with my third. I looked forward to her visits and stimulating conversations.
When her son Shaheen's first tooth appeared, we were invited to her in-law's cotton farm to celebrate the auspicious occasion. Shaheen was seated in the middle of a tray of wheat and brightly coloured sugar coated chickpeas, on a handmade multicoloured cotton mat beside a spring of water and a line of fur trees. Surrounding him were hens busily pecking at the morsels of grain amidst children playing and enjoying their delicious treat.

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Apamea Museum

Apamea Museum was located below the fortress at Qa'lat al Madiq which was approximately a five minute drive north of Skelbieh. It was a square khan or caravansary (an inn, usually with a large courtyard, for the overnight accommodation of a group of travellers, journeying together for safety). It was built during the Ottoman era by Sultan Suleiman al-Qanuni in 1531. Many of the archaeological findings showcase the ingenuity of the people that inhabited Apamea two thousand years ago.

PHOTOGRAPHS
The photographs contain a mosaic from the 5th century depicting Socrates surrounded by his students.
A second mosaic illustrates a gazelle surrounded by flowers, symbolising fertility.
A mosaic known as "the cathedral" from the 5th century, portrays animals that represent evil being defeated by good.
Another one depicts the Amazons, the warrior women of Greek mythology, riding horses and chasing wild animals.
A 6th century AD mosaic shows Adam surrounded by tame animals.
One portrays the mythical Phoenix bird.
Another found in St. Michael's church shows a man leading two horses carrying a howdah(seat on horse) with the inscription "Georgeos Claudios" above them.
Two marble statues date back to the 2nd century AD. They are of two incomplete nude male and female figures.
There are stone sarcophagi, three of which were placed in St. Michael's church and used to keep the remains of the saints.
Photographs show the crowns of Corinthian columns which are known for their distinct plant-shaped patterns.

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