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Half an hour from Homs (47 km.), one hour and a half
from Aleppo (143 km.) by highway (EM5), or two hours from the
Mediterranean coast (Banias, 99 km.), Hama is one of the oldest Syrian
cities. Ranking fourth in population (340,000 inhabitants), its
importance to the country exceeds by far this simple demographic
observation.
Hama possesses all its charm when it comes to mentioning its Norias,
those huge wooden wheels which, since the middle ages, have transformed
the surrounding landscape by providing water to nearby gardens and
orchards.
This city has become one of the leaders of the industrialization of
Syria and this has meant a complete reversal of its habits. Thus, we
must say with nostalgia, that the wonderful gardens of the banks of the
Orontes (Nahr EI-Assi) which divides the city in half, are now irrigated
by motor-pumps. Of the some thirty Norias the city counted, there remain
no more than ten. They seem to be used more today as rotating diving
platforms by the children of Hama. So if the famous Norias, battered and
silent, do not meet your expectations, go to the winding streets of the
old city. They form a lace of narrow streets and dead-ends, in brief a
labyrinth. It is difficult to orient yourself without some sort of
guide. You will therefore ask help from the children of Hama to direct
you to the most famous monuments.
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