Jableh

Government

Dschabla (also Dschabala, Djabla, Jableh, Jabala, Jablah, Gabala or Gibel; Arab جبلة, Ǧabla DMG ) is a Syrian coastal city of Latakia Governorate with the remains of an amphitheater from the Roman period.

Cityscape

The town is located 20 kilometers south of Latakia, the international airport is located nearby. The next town to the south is Baniyas, about 30 kilometers away. 2009 Dschabla had about 76,000 inhabitants.

From the Roman theater, the ranks have not yet received with 90 meters in diameter for 7000 spectators, which were restored in 1990. The stage building is almost completely destroyed.

History

A settlement was founded by Phoenician settlers Gabala the island Aradus. In ancient times Dschabla was a port city, which was temporarily controlled by Ugarit. In local writings from the 14./13. Century BC mentions a place Gibala.

On July 23, 1109 Tancred conquered the Crusaders, the city of the Principality of Antioch. Dschabla was given as a fief to Reinald Mansoer the one to transform the ruins of the Roman theater into a fortress. The open side of the theater was walled off and attached towers on the outside. The tags are no longer preserved. In addition, the Crusaders built a bishopric in Dschabla.

After Zengi had conquered the County of Edessa in 1144, it was the bishop of Dschabla, Hugo von Jabala, who traveled in 1145 to Europe and the Pope prompting to call for a second Crusade. Hugo was also the first who reported the legend of Prester John in Europe.

1167 conquered and destroyed by Nur ad -Din Dschabla, which soon took the Crusaders in possession and built again. On 15 July 1188 the city was conquered by the troops of Saladin that deducted again soon, whereupon the crusaders took the city again in possession.

When the Mamluks in 1268, the Principality of Antioch conquered the garrison of Dschabla was removed for the protection of Antioch itself and entrusted the city to protect the Hospitaller. Since the Hospitallers on the main castle Margat 1269 and 1270 were due to the onslaught of the Mamluks in a precarious position, they left Dschabla soon without a fight the Mamluks.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Loubna MRIE