Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Lattakia, SANA- The “Arch of Triumph” is one of the most significant landmarks in Lattakia city, a witness to the its history, its antiquity, the grandeur of architecture, and the mastery of Syrian builders that made it stand for more than two thousand years.
It is situated in al-Salibeh neighborhood to the western side of al-Taabiyat avenue, and to the north of Bacchus Temple.
The arch was named by Tetrapylon or “Hanging Church” , according to head of Lattakia Department of Antiquities, Ibrahim Khair Beik.
The arch was built of sand stone square-shaped 12 meters long and 16 meters high, topped by a hemispherical dome and has four door ways. It was decorated, internally by sculptures and embossed representing the badges of victory: swords, gears, helmets and spears which are warriors hardware during the Roman period, according to Khair Beik.
The arch dates back to 195 AD, when the Roman Emperor , Septimius Severus built it ,in honour of Lattakia city as its people stood by the emperor in his war against his enemies, Khair Beik noted.
“In the Middle Ages, the arch was turned into into a church, and then it was used as a mosque for a period of time, “Khairbek noted.
Historical sources indicate that the reason for the construction of the Arch dates back to a dispute between the Roman emperors, after which the people of Lattakia were in favor of the Emperor Septimius Severus, who achieved his victory thanks to that alliance.
Haybah Sleman/Shaza Qreima