As-Suwayda

Government

As- Suwayda or Suweida (Arabic السويداء, DMG as- Suwaydā ʾ, French Soueïda, Turkish Süveyde ) is the capital of the governorate as- Suwayda in the Hauran region in southwestern Syria. It is the center of the settlement of the Syrian Druze.

Location

As- Suwayda is located at about 1080 meters altitude in the embossed by volcanic outpourings Hauran region on the western edge of the Jebel al-Druze ( Druze mountains). The surrounding area surfaces change from black basalt boulders with red fertile arable land. The city is located in the center of the largest growing region in the country for grapes that thrive both in large fields in the lowlands, as well as on small hilly plots drystone walling.

The distance from Damascus is about 100 kilometers. In the vicinity are the north the localities Schahba ( 15 km, the ancient Philippopolis ) and the Roman foundation Schaqqa (25 km). Bosra is located approximately 30 kilometers south.

History

As- Suwayda was founded by the Arab Nabateans in the 1st century BC as a trading base tirade and had a temple of God Duschara (between 30 BC and 30 AD emerged ) and a monumental tomb. This at about 85 BC dated and preserved as a ruin in the 1860s from the tomb Hamrath had a roof in the shape of a stepped pyramid and Doric half-columns at the entrance facade.

In the 2nd century, in Roman times, the city received city rights Dionysias called under Emperor Hadrian or later than the reign of Emperor Commodus (reigned 180-192 ). The city owes the name of the wine god Dionysus, which was set equal to the Nabataean Duschara, and their economic prosperity to the one in place at this time viticulture. Of the major Roman buildings small residues can only be obtained. In the early Byzantine period in the 4th and 5th centuries, the city was a bishopric. The basilica was built in the 5th century was probably the Saint Sergius devoted to the in Resafa enjoyed great veneration after his martyrdom by 312.

From the Ottoman period is obtained as one of the few attractions of the city, the residence of a governor. Since the end of the 17th century Druze immigrated from Lebanon into the mountains named after them. Let Especially in the 19th century in a second wave of immigration Druze from Lebanon, Palestine and from the region around Aleppo down. As- Suwayda and the other cities in the region are start-ups this time. Many Druze were involved as agricultural laborers in a feudal order, headed by the Hamdan family clan. This had in 1868 its traditional leadership role in the family al - Atrash exits. A peasant revolt in 1890 forced by the landowners some concessions, so since then worked the majority of the Druze on small or medium-sized areas own land.

During the French mandate period as- Suwayda was the capital of the Druze state. Here, however, of the Syrian National Resistance in the 1920s mostly came from the Druze areas to as- Suwayda. These were also in the Ottoman period never fully under government control and now defended themselves against the interference of the French in their internal affairs. A well-known Druze leader of the revolt from 1925 to 1927 was Sultan al - Atrash from the village of al - Qrayya 20 km south of as- Suwayda. Under his leadership, the Druze attacked on 20 July 1925, the small town of Salkhad ( capital of the same named district 28 kilometers southwest as- Suwayda ), on August 2, they defeated the French troops in al - Suwayda. The capture of the city was the occasion for further riots in Damascus and other parts of the country. Until 1926, the French military power had gradually restored their order.

Cityscape and population

The calculated for 2009 64.730 inhabitants are, in their overwhelming majority drusen, which are characterized by a strong social cohesion. A minority form the Syriac Orthodox Christians.

With the modern urban development disappeared almost all the ancient monuments. 1998 a Roman arch of the former city gate was restored using old basalt stones. It is located one kilometers southeast of the central market area on the main road to Daraa. From a small Roman Odeion the rows of seats have been restored. Another attraction is the location in an eastern suburb, opened in 1991, the provincial museum which contains mosaic floors and basalt sculptures from Roman times. Furthermore, ceramics from the Stone Age and to see the first floor of folk art.

The city is the birthplace of the entire Arab singer Farid el Atrache revered (1915-1974) known. He belonged to the Druze princely family el Atrache, whose palace is seen in the Hauran - style black basalt in the city. In the residence of this family, whose lands were spread up to the Jordanian border, the singer Asmahan and Farid's sister lived ( 1918-1944 ).

Economy

Besides grapes are apple trees, almond and olive trees, and planted since the 19th century grain and marketed. There is a food processing industry, which also includes the production of wine and Arak. Furthermore, carpets, shoes and plastics are manufactured.

Famous sons and daughters of the town

• Farid el Atrache (1915-1974), Syrian- Egyptian singer
• Shibli al - Aysami ( born 1925 ), former Syrian Vice President
• Ahmed al - Khatib (1933-1982), former Syrian president