Tartous (Arabic:طرطوس), an ancient city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria, is the second largest port in Syria after Latakia and had a population of 115,769 in the 2004 census before the current civil war.
Understand
editThe city's history dates back to the 2nd millennium BC when it was founded as a Phoenician colony known as Antaradus. It was a major stronghold of the Crusaders in the 11th century and remained an important commercial city during the Ottoman era and onto modern Syria. It is a major port as well as home to a Russian naval facility.
Spared by the Syrian Civil War, today Tartous is a summer vacation spot for many Syrians, numerous beach hotels and resorts are dotted along the coast.
Get in
editGet around
editSee
edit- 1 Tartous Castle (قلعة طرطوس). Old castle, today only parts remain and the castle grounds are occupied by other buildings. However the keep is open for visitors and contains a small museum and cultural exhibitions.
- 2 Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa (كاتدرائية طرطوس). Former Catholic cathedral erected during the 12th century. It has been described by historians as the best-preserved religious structure of the crusades.
- Amrit Museum.
- 3 Temple of Amrit.
Arwad
editThe only inhabited island in Syria which has been settled since at least the 2nd millennium BC.
- 4 Citadel of Arwad (قلعة أرواد).
Do
editGo by boat to Arwad Island.
Buy
editEat
editTabole Fatoush Hot Fish + Syadiah
Drink
editArak
Sleep
edit- 1 Holiday Beach Resort, ☏ +963 43 631 970. A major resort located a few kilometers north the city that remains open despite the ongoing civil war.
- Menchie (Raffoul), Place Menchie, ☏ +963 43 220616. Check-out: 11:00. Low Budget hotel. Hotel is close to bus station. Next to Tartus museum. Owner is a nice man, he has also shop in the same building. Rooms are clean.
- The Republic Hotel. Budget hotel. Rooms are dirty and stink. Staff (owner) doesn't speak English.
- Daniel Hotel. Nice hotel, with clean rooms and bathrooms.
Cope
editConsulates
edit- Greece, Al Wahdeh Street, P.O. Box 4011, ☏ +963 43 221 104, fax: +963 43 329 900, hdanial@maktoob.com.
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