Salhiyé, Syria
I circle around God; around the primordial tower . . . circling for thousands of years . . . and I still don’t know: am I a falcon, a storm, or a great song?
—Ranier Maria Rilke (1875–1926), Austrian-German poet
In the sweltering desert of Syria where sandstorms have circled and whirled for time immemorial, an ancient city lay buried along the Euphrates River, hiding the world’s oldest synagogue and house-church. In 1920, during the Arab Revolt following World War I, a soldier digging a trench unearthed brilliant tempera wall paintings of biblical figures (now in the National Museum of Damascus), which later archaeological excavations (1920s–1930s) identified as ruins of an ancient temple. Other sacred treasures found on the site include a synagogue roof and papyrus scriptures in Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin. Numerous historical artifacts and structures have also been recovered.
If you are spiritually edified by early Judeo-Christian religious and cultural history, visit Dura Europos, bordering Iraq on Syria’s eastern flank, near the village of Salhiyé. Book a coach tour or day trip from the town of Dayr az-Zawr, north of Dura Europos.
As you explore the ruins, envision a deep spiritual connection with ancient Judaic or early Christian culture. Offer a prayer of hope or gratitude for God’s guidance and grace.
Visit the National Museum of Damascus, perhaps before visiting Dura Europos, to learn about the spiritual, cultural, and historical significance of this ancient city.