Syria's principal port and the
metropolitan city of the country. Set on the Mediterranean coast,
Lattakia is a major holiday resort. The city stands at the foot
of the forested chain of mountains overlooking the coastal strip
on one side and the edge of the fertile
plains
(the Cradle of Civilization) on the other.
There are a number of antiquities, including the
ruined Temple of Bacchus
and a triumphal arch.
It is 12 Km from Lattakia. The
first Alphabet and first written musical note were discovered
in it Ugarit was a very important commercial center and the
capital for the Canaanites kingdom at the 2nd. Millennium B.
C. The king of Ugarit had a very big and splendid palace, which
was later on, made the center for governmental administration.
The ruins of this palace are still the witnesses of the glory
of this kingdom and its well organization
It is 55 Km. from Lattakia,
situated on top of very slipped rocky mountain overlooking
the surrounding green forests. It was described as the most
impregnable fortress, the Arabian commander Salah Al Din liberated
in 1188 A.D and 1225. The Ambassador of Venice Marine Republic
visited it and signed a commercial treaty with its governor
due to its important and strategic position
