Cherubim Monastery, Saidnaya
دير الشيروبيم
Orthodox monastery on a high mountain peak above Saidnaya, overlooking Damascus and the Qalamoun, near a giant statue of Christ.
On a high peak of the Qalamoun range above Saidnaya, north of Damascus, stands the Cherubim Monastery, one of the highest monasteries in Syria. Named after the cherubim, it belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church and tradition dates its origins to the Byzantine period.
A winding road climbs through rocks and slopes to the summit, rewarding visitors with cool air and panoramic views over the Damascus plain and the Qalamoun mountains.
Long abandoned and ruined, it has been rebuilt in recent decades and monastic life has returned; pilgrims often pair it with Our Lady of Saidnaya in the town below. In 2013 a giant statue of Christ was erected on the mountain nearby, visible from afar. Snow-covered in winter and cool in summer, it is one of the finest trips near Damascus.
Note: photos may not reflect the site's current condition.
For the visitor
Location: 33.7286, 36.3726 · Open on the map
Photos: Saleh.photography — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
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