Marmarita

Overview

Marmarita is the best-known village of Wadi al-Nasara — the Valley of the Christians — a cluster of some thirty villages spread across pine-covered hills beneath Krak des Chevaliers. In August its population multiplies as diaspora families return for the summer season and the town's celebrated carnival.

History

The valley's Greek Orthodox communities have farmed these slopes since Byzantine times and grew under the protection of the Crusader castle above. Marmarita's modern fame dates to the 1960s, when its summer festival evolved into a week-long carnival of parades, floats and open-air concerts held around the Feast of the Assumption.

Highlights

• 01Marmarita Carnival (mid-August)
• 02Valley of the Christians villages
• 03Views up to Krak des Chevaliers
• 04Pine and oak walking trails
• 05Old and new village churches

Major Attractions

• 01

  The Carnival

  A week of illuminated floats, brass bands, street food and dancing centred on 15 August — the largest annual festival of its kind in Syria.

• 02

  Saint George's Monastery (Deir Mar Georges al-Humayra)

  A 6th-century Greek Orthodox monastery ten minutes away, rebuilt in the 13th and 19th centuries, with a lower church that survives from the original foundation.

• 03

  Krak des Chevaliers

  The great Crusader castle dominates the skyline 12 km north — the valley's defining monument and an easy morning trip.

• 04

  Valley walks

  Marked lanes link Marmarita, Mishtaya and Al-Hawash through pine woods, orchards and stone-terraced vineyards.

Traveller Tips

• ›Book accommodation months ahead for August; the valley fills completely during carnival week.
• ›Evenings are cool even in high summer — bring a layer.
• ›A car makes the valley far easier; village-to-village transport is informal.

What to Eat

• Valley arak

  Home-distilled anise spirit from local grapes, poured with mezze on every summer terrace.

• Mulberry syrup (dibs toot)

  Pressed from the valley's mulberry trees and served iced with water in summer.

• Grilled kebab and shish taouk

  The carnival street food — charcoal grills line the main road through August.

Other local flavours: Arak · Grilled meats · Valley wine · Mulberry syrup

Where to Stay

• Valley guesthouses

  Seasonal

  Family pensions and rental apartments across Marmarita and neighbouring Mishtaya, mostly open May–October.

• Al-Wadi hotels

  Mid-range

  Several established hotels serve the valley year-round, some with pools and valley-view terraces.