As-Suwayda-Sana
The town of Saleem, located about 9 km north of the city of As-Suwayda, is characterized by its richness in archaeological sites dating back to different eras, its picturesque nature, and its forest areas rich in oak and oak trees, which is penetrated by Wadi Saleem, which comes through channels from the Dahr al-Jabal region, which gives it charm and beauty.
As-Suwayda Tourism Director Ya'rub Al-Arbeed pointed out to SANA that the town of Selim bore the name of Neapolis in the Roman era and was a stop on the caravan route between Bosra, Qanawat and Palmyra and took its name from Salam and Al-Salam as it was a safe station for convoys.
He pointed out that the town of Selim is rich in archaeological monuments that are still present today, including the eastern facade of the temple, which dates back to the first century AD, and its decorations are inspired by Greek and Roman motifs. Eggs within cactus-like recesses, completed Corinthian lily-like crowns, and a buttressed frieze featuring exquisite and delicate geometric shapes.
Among the ruins of the town of Selim are the archaeological baths located to the south of the temple and dating back to the end of the second century and the beginning of the third century AD, wells and an old church dating back to the Byzantine era, the corner of a palace, stone obelisks, houses built of basalt stones, old water pools, a kitchen that was used to water livestock, and a watch and guard tower, which is semi-conical Its diameter is 3.5 meters, with a circular staircase inside it to the top, a “stone” door that is crumbling from the inside, as it spreads around the old ruined town and dates back to the beginning of the first millennium BC.
Al-Arbeed indicated that the picturesque nature of the town of Saleem, in addition to the distinctive tourism elements, made it a destination for visitors, especially during the spring and summer months, to enjoy the beauty of its forests and family sessions beside its valley, in addition to the small springs and valleys that surround it like Wadi Al-Blat and Al-Najasah from the north.
It is worth noting that work is currently underway to implement the project of the Technical Institute for Tourism and Hotel Sciences in the town of Salim, with a value of 9 billion and 354 million and 962 thousand pounds, and an implementation period of 3 years.