Al-Sinnabra

Welcome to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. As you stand here, feeling the gentle breeze coming off the water, you are standing on a landscape deeply etched with the passage of empires, the clash of civilizations, and the birth…

We begin our detailed exploration at the northern periphery of the site, standing before the remains of the imposing northern fortification wall of the Umayyad complex. As you approach this area, notice the sheer scale of the…

Just outside the northern fortification wall, we arrive at one of the most exciting recent archaeological discoveries at Al Sinnabra, the remains of an early Islamic hypostyle mosque. For decades, researchers knew of the palace…

Stepping back inside the perimeter of the northern wall, we now enter the heart of the Qasr, the main palace structure. This was the luxurious winter residence that drew Muawiya away from the cold winds of Damascus. …

Continuing our walk southward, just behind the rear wall of the basilica throne hall, we arrive at the remains of the Hammam, the royal bathhouse. No Umayyad palace was complete without a sophisticated bathing complex. …

As we move slightly to the east of the main palace block, we find ourselves looking at a rather empty expanse of ground. This absence of ruins is, paradoxically, one of the most compelling stories of Al Sinnabra's archaeological…

We now leave the immediate ruins of the Umayyad palace and walk southward, descending towards the point where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee. As we approach the water, the landscape opens up before us. …

Stand here, looking out over the open ground near the riverbanks. This seemingly peaceful terrain is the very epicenter of the Battle of Al Sinnabra. …

Turn your gaze westward, away from the water, toward the rising hills that border the inland sea. Following the utter collapse of his army on the plains below, King Baldwin the First, fighting desperately for his life, managed to…

As our tour of Al Sinnabra comes to a close, let us walk back toward the center of the ancient site, standing once more where the ghosts of the Umayyad palace and the fallen soldiers converge. Take a final look around you. …