Homs Syria | Largest Governorate by Area, Ancient History, Krak des Chevaliers, Palmyra & Tourism 2026

Discover Homs Governorate: Syria’s largest at 42,226 km² with 2M residents, Orontes River, Krak des Chevaliers, Khalid Mosque, Palmyra. 2300 BC history, markets, resorts. Visit Homs in 2026!

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Homs: Area and Population

The area of Homs Governorate is 42,226 square kilometers, with a population of around 2 million inhabitants. The regions of the governorate are inhabited by Anza tribes, including Al Mulhim family (sheikh of Al-Manabeh), the Seven clan, and Al-Rulah… as well as some sects that intermingle densely. It is the largest Syrian governorate by area and ranks third in population after Damascus Governorate and Aleppo Governorate. The governorate’s lands extend in all directions, bordered by Hama to the north, Tartus and Lebanon to the west, Rif Dimashq to the south, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa to the east, and Iraq and Jordan to the southeast.

Homs is a city located in central Syria, through which the Orontes River passes. It is the third most important Syrian city, with history dating back to 2300 BC. It was called Emesa during the Roman era and has a rich history.

Location of the City

Homs is located in the central-western section of Syria on both banks of the middle Orontes Valley, which divides it into two parts: the eastern part, which is flat and extends to the Homs irrigation canal, and the western part, which is more modern and lies in the basaltic rugged area. Homs is 175 km from Damascus, 200 km south of Aleppo, 150 km east to Palmyra, and 90 km west to Tripoli in Lebanon.

Homs in History

The oldest inhabited site in Homs city is Tell Homs or Osama Castle, about 2.5 km from the Orontes River. Pottery finds prove it was inhabited since the second half of the third millennium BC. The name Homs appears distorted in documents from the famous Syrian kingdom of Ebla. Documented reports from Tell al-Nabi Mandu near Homs indicate Homs re-emerged. Archaeological studies are still limited in determining Homs’ history in the Bronze and Iron Ages. However, its history in the Seleucid era is clearer: the Shamsigram tribe established a royal dynasty known from 99 AD to 133 AD. Later came the Qurayna tribe and the Colleta tribe. Homs played an important role throughout history due to its position connecting inner Syria to the Mediterranean and north to south. It produced emperors, kings, and notables like the Homsite princess Julia Domna, emperors Caracalla, Elagabalus, Severus Alexander, the Homsite philosopher Longinus, and the famous Mar Lian.

Rare photo of Khalid Mosque

Antiquities of Homs

Homs city contains several archaeological sites, with many religious buildings constructed—mosques and shrines from ancient eras and civilizations, and in the Islamic era, as well as churches and temples from ancient and later medieval Islamic periods. The most important include:

The Great Nouri Mosque: Originally a sun temple, Emperor Theodosius converted it to a church, then Muslims converted half during the Arab conquest while the other half remained a church for Christians. Later, after it was damaged by an earthquake in the days of Nur al-Din the Martyr, he rebuilt it in 1129 AD in its current form by purchasing adjacent land and annexing it to the mosque.

The Old Clock 1965
Rare photo of Sayyidna Khalid Mosque.jpg
Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque: Contains the tomb of the Arab hero commander Khalid ibn al-Walid, who died in Homs in 641 AD. It is in the northeastern part of Homs city. Built in the late Ottoman era (second half of the 19th century during Sultan Abdul Hamid).

One of Homs city squares

It also has many shrines like Abu al-Hawl Shrine, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, Companion Amr ibn Anbasa, Companion al-Arbat ibn Sariya in al-Hawla, the shrine of the just caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, and others.

Church of Um al-Zunnar (59 AD), containing the girdle of the Virgin Mary.
Church of Mar Lian al-Homsite (432 AD), containing the tomb of Saint Lian al-Homsite.
Homs Museum
Historic Markets
Homs Citadel
Homs City Wall
Archaeological Tombs
Nouri Mosque

Names and Designations from Homs

1. Al-Asiyati: Name for a bathhouse and mosque, close together near the eastern city wall, between Bab Tadmor and Bab al-Darb. Named after a famous Homs family, Ibn al-Asiyati, including al-Badr Muhammad ibn Ibrahim, a highly intelligent jurist of the top judicial class. Died 834 AH/1430 AD. His son Muhammad ibn Muhammad was a jurist and grammarian, served as judge in Damascus then Homs, died there 858 AH/1454 AD. Grandson Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad, known as al-Hafiz, born in Homs 843 AH/1439 AD.
2. Al-Sarraj: Bathhouse and mosque facing each other in the workshop area near Bab Tadmor. Named after al-Sarraj Umar ibn Musa al-Qurashi al-Homsite, who served as judge in several cities and died 861 AH/1457 AD. His son al-Sarraj Hawa married the Abbasid caliph al-Qaim bi-Amr Allah al-Muwakkil al-Qahiri. “Al-Sarraj” was a common abbreviation for Siraj al-Din at the time.
3. Abu al-Hawl: Name for the street extending from the covered market to Bustan al-Diwan. Named after a shrine containing the tomb of Abu al-Hawl, a tabi’i (follower of companions) who was a client of Bani Tarif from Kinda. Called Abu al-Hawl for his extreme darkness and large build. After converting to Islam, he participated in the conquests of the Levant with his people and played a key role in conquering Aleppo Citadel. Settled in Homs and died there; his tomb is still visited.
4. Ka’b al-Ahbar: Name for a street parallel to the eastern wall of the old city, near the tomb of Ka’b al-Ahbar in front of Bab al-Darb. Ka’b ibn Mate’ al-Himyari, a top tabi’i in the Levant. Died in Homs 32 AH/652 AD. Called Ka’b al-Ahbar for his vast knowledge, virtues, and wisdom. He narrated stories to people and lived 104 years.
5. Al-Umari: A mosque in al-Husayni Street northeast of the citadel. Sometimes called Jam’ al-Nakhlah after a palm tree in its courtyard, but commonly al-Umari after Umar ibn Yusuf al-Hanafi al-Baqrasi who renovated it. Buried there upon his death in 1739 AD. Also called Jam’ al-Turkman due to many Turkmens living around it.
6. Abu al-Awf: A street opened in the early 20th century, connecting Quwatli Street (al-Sarayat) to the vegetable market. Named after a shrine at its northern end said to be for Muhammad ibn Awf al-Tai. One of the most famous hadith narrators and memorizers in the Levant in the 3rd century AH. When the Endowments Directorate demolished and renovated the shrine in 1994, several graves with stone markers appeared, one reading “Muhammad Abu al-Awf al-Tai al-Maylawi.”
7. Al-Saih (Wadi al-Saih): A depression north of old Homs, once called Wadi al-Khalidiyya for extending toward Khalid ibn al-Walid’s tomb. Named al-Saih after Sheikh Muhammad al-Saih al-Iskandarani, who came to Homs in the 19th century. Said to have been a Christian in Alexandria, captured by Jews for blood matzah ritual but miraculously escaped, converted, became ascetic, wandered until settling in Homs in a cell-like house near the valley until his death.
8. Al-Dublan: One of Homs’ most famous and popular streets for evening strolls. Named after cafe owner Amin al-Dublan, who set up near a saqiya (waterwheel channel) running through the area until after mid-20th century. The cafe became so famous it named the street leading to it, from the New Clock to Dublan Park.
9. Al-Shiah (Jurat al-Shiah): Name for a neighborhood in the new city. A depression left of the path north from Bab al-Suq to Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque. Was a lime kiln site, burning limestone with wild sage (shih) as fuel. Possibly named after Shihah residents (Shih Mosque).
10. Al-Shanawi (Jurat al-Shanawi): Now a residential area, formerly a depression between the citadel and al-Khadir shrine. Irrigated by a small spring. Named after Shanawi from al-Sayyid Sulayman family, who owned and lived on part of it; a follower of the Shanawiyya Sufi order branching from the Ahmadıyya.
11. Al-Adawiyya: Name for part of a Sufi zawiya now a diwan. Said to belong to one of Nur al-Din the Martyr’s wives, a pious, ascetic Sufi woman nicknamed after famous mystic Rabi’a al-Adawiyya for her asceticism. Another al-Adawiyya area outside Bab al-Darb, named after al-Adawi family who owned the land turned residential.
12. Al-Maraja: Area south of Bab al-Darb. Old Homs’ threshing grounds where harvested grain was piled to dry. In spring, fallen seeds sprouted into green pasture (marj), hence al-Maraja (diminutive of marja). Popular spring picnic spot, famous for Zayni folk song parades (“Qubbat Hamam al-Zayni”).
13. Al-Safsafa: Area in old Homs. Named after a large willow tree in a small square south of Jam’ al-Za’franah, passed by Ibn Zuhr Street. Famous for Homsite mudsaddar folk performance art, one of its last strongholds.
14. Qasr al-Shaykh: Street and area in old Homs from Abu al-Hawl Street to the workshop, named after the “palace” (house) of Sheikh Abdullah al-Haraki, first sheikh of the nearby Haraki zawiya. Last was Sheikh Yasin, known for many miracles.
15. Al-Taghra: Area in al-Fakhura neighborhood of old Homs, named after a breach in the north wall after it lost defensive role, for passage outside. One of the first breaches, with a bathhouse called Hammam al-Taghra.
16. Taqat Abu Jirs: Another breach in the east wall between Bab al-Darb and Bab Tadmor. Local legend: a jinn-guarded animal (some say dog) with a bell seen at night near it.
17. Under the Two Minarets (al-Madanatayn): Part of al-Abrar Street, named after minarets of Jam’ al-Abrar and Jam’ al-Hanabila. Due to their height, the area between was called “under the two minarets” (al-madanatayn in Homs dialect).
18. Zahr al-Maghara: Old Homs neighborhood north of citadel. Named after citadel cave facing south (this area directly behind it) or large cave beneath (its “back”). Possibly one of many Byzantine cisterns in Homs.
19. Al-Kathib: Earth mound once called al-Kathib al-Ahmar (th turned to t for ease). Outside Bab Tadmor, northeast of old Homs. Muslim cemetery since Arab conquest, with many companions and tabi’un martyrs from conquest; still an Islamic cemetery.
20. Al-Na’ura: Area in Homs’ new markets. Named after a na’ura waterwheel lifting from al-Mujahida saqiya to Great Nouri Mosque, near Bab al-Suq by current Central Bank of Syria branch. Built Rabi’ al-Awwal 1124 AH/1712 AD.

The Seven Gates of Homs

Homs is one of Syria’s historically ancient cities, successive civilizations passed over it, famous for its central location. At the Islamic conquest, it had four gates (Bab al-Rastan – Bab al-Sham – Bab al-Jabal – Bab al-Saghir). In Mansur Ibrahim’s era, it had seven:

1. Bab al-Suq: Believed to be Bab al-Rastan, in southwest corner of Great Nouri Mosque.
2. Bab Tadmor: Some carved stones remain; predates Islam as Palmyra road passed through, northeast side.
3. Bab al-Darb: Some historians call it Bab al-Dayr; possibly Bab al-Sham, east side.
4. Bab al-Siba’: East of citadel, leads to old city from south.
5. Bab al-Turkman: Northwest citadel corner where it meets city wall; some stones remain. Name linked to Turkmen tribes settling Homs around 11th century AD.
6. Bab al-Masdud: Directly north of Bab al-Turkman; inscribed as built by Mansur Ibrahim (637-644 AH), north of citadel.
7. Bab Hud: Few stones remain; possibly linked to Prophet Hud shrine south of it. Confirms ancient gateway role; believed to be Bab al-Jabal.

Tourism in Homs

Homs’ unique location—central between Syria’s Mediterranean coast, mountains, eastern desert, Orontes River—plus abundant antiquities, castles, stunning nature in Homs areas, resorts, springs, waterfalls, prosperity, passage to northern/western Syrian cities, rich markets (especially in Homs city) make it wonderful tourist spots in its towns and resorts. Hotels, restaurants, unique parks abound. Festivals include:

• Homs Cultural Arts Festival
• Tourism and Shopping Festival
• Palmyra Tourist Festival
• Citadel and Valley Festival (Marmarita Festival)
• Homs Literary and Cultural Poetry Festival
• Various festivals in governorate cities

Tourist sites include Krak des Chevaliers (Hisn al-Akrad Castle): In western Homs, midway to Tartus, world-famous Knights’ Castle. 21 km from al-Arida junction, 60 km from Homs. Known as Hisn al-Akrad as a Homs prince built it to guard coast-interior road, housing Kurds. Crusaders captured it 1109 AD, modified/expanded for military use; Europeans called it Crac des Chevaliers. Perfect example of fortified military castle: irregular polygon, major axis 200m, minor 140m, area 3 ha. Not built at once: Banu Mirdas started 1031 AD, housed Kurds. Crusaders 1109, rebuilt towers after 1157/1170 quakes. Besieged by Nur al-Din, Saladin; Baybars liberated 1271 AD, let Franks leave, renovated, added two towers. Qalawun added rectangular tower. Evacuated 1927, restored as tourist site.

Composed of two fortresses:

Inner Fortress: Self-contained castle with moat separating from outer wall. Main gate connects via long descending corridor with defensive bend to outer gate. Three gates to moat, tall towers, two floors: ground with open courtyard, vaults, halls, meeting room, church, restaurant, rooms, presses; upper with open roofs, barracks, towers. Rock-hewn moat with rainwater channels.

Outer Fortress: Outer wall/self-contained fort, multiple floors with halls, stables, stores, sitting rooms. 13 towers (round/square/rectangular), surrounded by moat.

One of medieval architecture’s finest military fortifications. T.E. Lawrence called it the most important Crusader castle for military art and command.

History from 1031 AD: Homs prince Shibl al-Dawla Nasr ibn Mirdas built small fort to protect trade caravans from Levantine coast to interior, with Kurdish garrison. Called Hisn al-Akrad (also Hisn al-Safh, Castellum Krac, Hisn al-Usbtar, al-Krak, finally Hisn Castle). On 600m basalt mountain.

Early 11th century, Europeans launched Crusades under Pope Urban at Clermont 1098 AD to control Jerusalem/protect Levantine Christians. Franks founded states from Antioch to Jerusalem, with castles like Salah al-Din (Sahyun), al-Marqab, Safita Tower. Captured Hisn al-Akrad; Tancred (Antioch prince) expanded 1099 AD. 1110 to Raymond of Toulouse (Tripoli prince), built main sections. 1142 to Hospitaller Knights (St. John, later Malta Knights), built main parts over 75 years despite quakes (1157, 1169, 1201). On “Pilgrims’ Road to Jerusalem”; housed 2000 soldiers/400 knights/horses, 5 years’ supplies.

Importance: Key knights’ barracks, exquisite vaulted architecture (Gothic style used in Notre-Dame), controls Homs-Tripoli pass.

Attacked by Muslim leaders: Nur al-Din Zengi besieged 1164 AD (some say entered briefly, retaken). Saladin 1188 AD, month-long siege failed due to fortifications/supplies (after liberating Jerusalem 1187/583 AH). Baybars captured 1271/670 AH after 45-day siege via south wall breaches. Repaired outer wall/main entrance, added Baybars Tower (south) with inscription: “In the name of God… ordered renewal of this blessed fortress in reign of our lord Sultan al-Malik al-Zahir Baybars… Tuesday 25 Sha’ban 669 AH/1271 AD.”

1285 AD, passed to Qalawun, who added south square defensive tower. Ottoman neglect: villagers built houses inside, lived ~200 years until 1927 French Mandate evacuation/restoration under Paul Deschamps (1934-1936; stones marked 1936). Removed 50,000 m³ debris. Views: Lake Qatina, Lebanese mountains, Mediterranean, Safita Tower, villages, Bqai’a Plain, Akkar Plain, Homs-Tartus highway.

Homs’ prime location, moderate summer climate, abundant historic sites, bustling activity as connector between Syrian regions draw daytime visitors/tourists. Famous for heritage markets, modern malls; premier commercial city. Known for cheese halawa, Homs halawa. Tourism companies offer trips to Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, Homs resorts, coastal mountains. Many luxury/varied hotels, restaurants, cafes, parks.

Homs Governorate is in central Syria, capital and largest city Homs, Syria’s central hub. Orontes River provides key natural resource to its cities/villages/towns with diverse terrain: plains, mountains, valleys, desert.

Affiliated cities/areas include famous archaeological Palmyra, ~160 km from center.

Councils of cities, towns, villages (key ones):

• Homs City Council
• Talbisa City Council
• Rastan City Council
• Talkalakh City Council
• Sukhna City Council
• Qaryatayn City Council
• Kafr Laha City Council
• Al-Qusayr City Council
• Al-Fuqani City Council
• Taldou Town Council
• Hisn Town Council
• Tal Dahab Town Council
• Hasi’a Town Council
• Khirbet al-Tin Town Council
• Shin Town Council
• Al-Hawash Town Council
• Al-Raqama Town Council
• Sadad Town Council
• Ain al-Nasr Town Council
• Al-Farqlus Town Council
• Al-Mushayrifa Town Council
• Al-Nasira Town Council
• Marmarita Town Council
• Mahin Town Council
• Khirbet al-Hamam Town Council
• Al-Dar al-Kabira Town Council
• Al-Rayan Town Council
• Zaydl Town Council
• Al-Sankari Town Council
• Fayruzah Town Council
• Al-Rabwa Town Council

Antiquities
Key historical/archaeological sites, monasteries, castles like world-famous Krak des Chevaliers Crusader castle. Central Homs has Osama Citadel (Homs Citadel) with many monuments, buildings, churches, mosques like Um al-Zunnar Church, Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque, Mar Girgis Patriarchal Monastery, Qatna Kingdom, Qadesh, al-Zahrawi Palace, mineral baths in Abu Rabah area, and more.

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