Mashta al-Helu

Government

Maschta al - Helou (Arabic مشتى الحلو, DMG Masta l - Halu ), also Maschtal Helo or Maschta, is a small town in the province of Tartus in western Syria. The developed as a summer mountain resort 560 meters height has about 3500 inhabitants, of whom a large proportion are Christians.

Maschta al - Helou is part of the district of Safita and is located in the southern foothills of Jebel Ansariye. A few kilometers east of the village flows coming from Safita side street in the north- south running road between Masyaf and Krak des Chevaliers. The distance is about 220 km to Damascus, Tartus after 55 km.

The total area is approximately 490 acres of Mashta. Due to its location in the mountains a mountain climate prevails. So it is in the summer moderately warm while it is cold in the winter. On some winter days it can snow. The city offers a tourist offer with several hotels and opportunities for hiking in the surrounding area.