Marmarita
Encyclopedia
Marmarita is a village located in Western Syria
close to the governorate
of Tartus but administratively belonging to the governorate of Homs
since 1953. It was previously part of the Latakia Governorate
. Marmarita is probably the largest village in the Wadi Al-Nasarah
(Valley of Christians) region of Homs. It is also a very popular summer destination and tourist attraction in Syria. It is situated close to the Crac des Chevaliers, or Qal'at El Ḥiṣn, an important historic site and a popular tourist attraction.
word Marmanitha, as this was evident in all religious and historical books and documents. What was explained in the Arabic Encyclopedia (by Dr. Ahmad Dawood) was wrong. The encyclopedia suggested that the name, Marmarita, was derived from the Syriac word Marmarato, which means god of gods, which has been mistakenly been viewed as the origin of the name Marmarita, even by the Syrian Television. Syriac speakers agree that the name Maramarita means a place that overlooks [another place], which is very reasonable as the village does overlook the Akkar plateau and the Mediterranean sea and Lebanese
mountains. Orthodox and Catholic references confirm that.
and Hauran
. It has buildings built as early as the late 17th century, but studies have suggested that the village was destroyed sometime in the 6th century by a powerful volcanic eruption. It has been also suggested that Phoenicia
ns have lived in this village.
and the relatively high stage of civilization were the major reasons for establishing Marmarita as a popular summer destination for people living in nearby cities and tourists. In summer the weather is mild and usually sunny, while in winter rain and, occasionally, snow fall heavily. There are many hospitals and clinics in the village. Marmarita is also known for its advanced schools.
Marmarita's population is changing. In winter the population decreases to approximately 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants, while in summer the population jumps to more than 25,000 inhabitants. This is because most of the village's original inhabitants live and work in cities and only spend their summer time in the village. The number of Marmarita immigrants is huge. The United States of America is home to the highest number of immigrants, followed by Australia, West Europe and Africa. The entire population of Marmarita is Christian, much like most villages in the area. There is also a large community from Marmarita migrated to South America early in the century.
Marmarita is famous for being "the town of the 500 doctorates", most of which are in medicine and hold prominent positions around the world. It was told that in the 1940s, Marmarita was the home of four high schools which enrolled students from all over Syria
and the neighboring modern country of Lebanon
. Generally, the population of Marmarita is well educated; this is attributed to the foundation of its school system by immigrants and various charities.
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
close to the governorate
Governorate
A governorate is an administrative division of a country. It is headed by a governor. As English-speaking nations tend to call regions administered by governors either states, provinces, or colonies, the term governorate is often used in translation from non-English-speaking administrations.The...
of Tartus but administratively belonging to the governorate of Homs
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
since 1953. It was previously part of the Latakia Governorate
Latakia Governorate
Latakia Governorate or muhafazah al Ladhiqiyah is one of the fourteen governorates of Syria. It is situated in western Syria, bordering Turkey. Its reported area varies in different sources from 2,297 km² to 2,437 km² . The Governorate has a population of 991,000 and is one of the...
. Marmarita is probably the largest village in the Wadi Al-Nasarah
Wadi Al-Nasarah
Wadi Al-Nasarah is a popular tourist site in western Syria close to the Lebanese border and administratively belonging to the governorate of Homs.Most of the people in the area is Christian.- Villages in the valley : Marmarita...
(Valley of Christians) region of Homs. It is also a very popular summer destination and tourist attraction in Syria. It is situated close to the Crac des Chevaliers, or Qal'at El Ḥiṣn, an important historic site and a popular tourist attraction.
Etymology
All sources indicate that the current name of the village, Marmarita, is derived from the SyriacSyriac language
Syriac is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Having first appeared as a script in the 1st century AD after being spoken as an unwritten language for five centuries, Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from...
word Marmanitha, as this was evident in all religious and historical books and documents. What was explained in the Arabic Encyclopedia (by Dr. Ahmad Dawood) was wrong. The encyclopedia suggested that the name, Marmarita, was derived from the Syriac word Marmarato, which means god of gods, which has been mistakenly been viewed as the origin of the name Marmarita, even by the Syrian Television. Syriac speakers agree that the name Maramarita means a place that overlooks [another place], which is very reasonable as the village does overlook the Akkar plateau and the Mediterranean sea and Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
mountains. Orthodox and Catholic references confirm that.
History
Marmarita is a village that is more than 500 years old. The history of the modern village of Marmarita traces back to the early 17th century. Most of the village's earliest inhabitants had immigrated from LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Hauran
Hauran
Hauran, , also spelled Hawran or Houran, is a volcanic plateau, a geographic area and a people located in southwestern Syria and extending into the northwestern corner of Jordan. It gets its name from the Aramaic Hawran, meaning "cave land." In geographic and geomorphic terms, its boundaries...
. It has buildings built as early as the late 17th century, but studies have suggested that the village was destroyed sometime in the 6th century by a powerful volcanic eruption. It has been also suggested that Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
ns have lived in this village.
Old Marmarita
The old Marmarita (17th century) was inhabited by only four families and was surrounded by three churches and churchyards: the St. John, St. Saba, and St. Boutros churches, which are located on the entrances to old Marmarita. Three valleys, which no longer exist, outlined the village. Education and agriculture attracted many immigrants from other villages.Tourism
The ideal location, climateClimate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
and the relatively high stage of civilization were the major reasons for establishing Marmarita as a popular summer destination for people living in nearby cities and tourists. In summer the weather is mild and usually sunny, while in winter rain and, occasionally, snow fall heavily. There are many hospitals and clinics in the village. Marmarita is also known for its advanced schools.
The Marmarita Annual Carnival
The Marmarita Carnaval is very famous in the region. Thousands of people attend it every year. In the carnaval, shows and processions of vehicles and dancers entertain the whole village. The Marmarita Carnaval celebrated its 26th anniversary in summer 2006. The performers of the carnaval all volunteer to do so.Demographics
Marmarita is famous for being "the town of the 500 doctorates", most of which are in medicine and hold prominent positions around the world. It was told that in the 1940s, Marmarita was the home of four high schools which enrolled students from all over Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and the neighboring modern country of Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. Generally, the population of Marmarita is well educated; this is attributed to the foundation of its school system by immigrants and various charities.