Qalb Loze

The National
  • An aerial view shows the 5th century basilica in Qalb Loze village in northwestern Syria. AFP
    An aerial view shows the 5th century basilica in Qalb Loze village in northwestern Syria. AFP
  • The ancient lime-stone cathedral is the architectural forerunner of France's famed Notre Dame cathedral. AFP
    The ancient lime-stone cathedral is the architectural forerunner of France's famed Notre Dame cathedral. AFP
  • An adorned arc at the 5th-century basilica. AFP
    An adorned arc at the 5th-century basilica. AFP
  • Children sit on one of the apse's windows. AFP
    Children sit on one of the apse's windows. AFP
  • The abandoned church is widely hailed as Syria’s finest example of Byzantine-era architecture and is considered to have inspired Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals in Europe, including Notre-Dame Cathedral. AFP
    The abandoned church is widely hailed as Syria’s finest example of Byzantine-era architecture and is considered to have inspired Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals in Europe, including Notre-Dame Cathedral. AFP
  • In 2011, it was inscribed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site, and part of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria listing. AFP
    In 2011, it was inscribed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site, and part of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria listing. AFP
  • Author Gertrude Bell described the Qalb Loze church as “the beginning of a new chapter in the architecture of the world. The fine and simple beauty of Romanesque was born in North Syria.” AFP
    Author Gertrude Bell described the Qalb Loze church as “the beginning of a new chapter in the architecture of the world. The fine and simple beauty of Romanesque was born in North Syria.” AFP
  • A bird's eye view. AFP
    A bird's eye view. AFP
  • An adorned arc on top of the entrance of the church in Qalb Loze. AFP
    An adorned arc on top of the entrance of the church in Qalb Loze. AFP
  • The striking twin tower design of Notre-Dame is one of the main features that can be traced back to Syria. AFP
    The striking twin tower design of Notre-Dame is one of the main features that can be traced back to Syria. AFP
  • The Gothic arch we associate with European cathedrals today was first seen in the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo, says regional expert Diana Darke. AFP
    The Gothic arch we associate with European cathedrals today was first seen in the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo, says regional expert Diana Darke. AFP
  • The first known example of a spire is said to come from the Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, says Darke. AFP
    The first known example of a spire is said to come from the Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, says Darke. AFP
  • Syrian children run in the central space of the ancient Byzantine-era basilica. AFP
    Syrian children run in the central space of the ancient Byzantine-era basilica. AFP
  • “There are many forgotten connections between Europe and the Arab world,” says Syria specialist Diana Darke. AFP
    “There are many forgotten connections between Europe and the Arab world,” says Syria specialist Diana Darke. AFP
  • Programmes like Rageh Omar’s documentary on BBC4, 'An Islamic History of Europe', which aired in 2005, attempted to remind people of all the cultural, social and scientific connections in Muslim Spain. AFP
    Programmes like Rageh Omar’s documentary on BBC4, 'An Islamic History of Europe', which aired in 2005, attempted to remind people of all the cultural, social and scientific connections in Muslim Spain. AFP
  • Located in northwestern Syria, west of Aleppo, is a small Druze village called Qalb Lozeh (also spelled Qalb Loze or Qalb Lawzah), which means 'Heart of the Almond'. AFP
    Located in northwestern Syria, west of Aleppo, is a small Druze village called Qalb Lozeh (also spelled Qalb Loze or Qalb Lawzah), which means 'Heart of the Almond'. AFP
  • The Gothic arch was passed on through Amalfi merchants to Sicily, says Darke. AFP
    The Gothic arch was passed on through Amalfi merchants to Sicily, says Darke. AFP