Maaloula, Syria: The Village That Still Speaks Aramaic

What is Maaloula? It is a village of stone houses stacked against the cliffs of the Qalamoun mountains, about an hour’s drive north of Damascus, and one of the last places on earth where people still speak Western Aramaic, a living descendant of the language of Jesus. Maaloula is home to two of Syria’s oldest Christian sanctuaries, the convent of Saint Thecla and the monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. The village was badly damaged and its people forced out in 2013 and 2014, and it has been rebuilding ever since. Today visitors are returning, and it is one of the most rewarding day trips from Damascus. Here is what to see, when to go and how to plan the visit.

Planning a trip? Start with our complete Syria travel guide, our guide to things to do in Damascus and our honest answer to is Syria safe to visit?

Maaloula at a glance

The village that still speaks Aramaic

Maaloula is famous because its people still speak Western Neo-Aramaic at home, alongside Arabic. Aramaic was once the common language of much of the Middle East, and a form of it was spoken by Jesus and his disciples. Today the western branch survives only in Maaloula and a couple of neighboring villages.

The name Maaloula comes from an Aramaic word for “entrance,” a reference to the narrow gorge that cuts into the mountain behind the village. Listening to the Lord’s Prayer recited in Aramaic, as the priests of Mar Sarkis have done for visitors for many years, is one of the moments people remember most.

The convent of Saint Thecla

The Greek Orthodox convent of Saint Thecla, Mar Taqla in Arabic, is built into the cliff at the foot of the gorge. According to tradition, Thecla was an early follower of the Apostle Paul who escaped her persecutors when the mountain opened to let her through, and she spent the rest of her life here.

Above the convent buildings, a cave shrine marks the place associated with her, and water seeping from the rock is considered holy by pilgrims. Behind the convent, a path leads into the narrow gorge, a short and memorable walk between walls of rock.

The monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus

The monastery of Mar Sarkis stands on the plateau above the village and is one of the oldest Christian sites in Syria. It is dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus, two Roman soldiers martyred for their faith, and belongs to the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

The small church inside is known for its ancient altars and its icons. From the plateau you get the classic view down over the houses of Maaloula, and on clear days across the Qalamoun hills.

Maaloula during the war, and today

Maaloula suffered badly during the Syrian war. In 2013 and early 2014, extremist armed groups took over the village, and both Mar Taqla and Mar Sarkis were severely damaged. Icons and religious objects were stolen or destroyed, buildings were burned, and many residents fled.

Since then, families have returned and churches have been repaired, and visitors are coming back as Syria reopens to tourism. Residents have spoken openly about their hopes and their worries for the village’s future, and for the survival of their language as young people move away. Visiting, eating in the village and staying with local hosts supports that recovery directly.

The Feast of the Cross in September

The best-known event in Maaloula is the Feast of the Cross, Eid al-Salib, on September 14. On the evening of September 13, residents light fires on the mountains above the village and set up illuminated crosses, and families light crosses on their balconies that stay lit for weeks.

The feast opens Maaloula’s religious season, which continues with the Feast of Saint Thecla on September 24 and ends with the Feast of Saints Sergius and Bacchus on October 7. In 2025 the celebrations were held in a quieter style than in the past. If you plan to go, ask your guide how the feast is being marked that year.

Combine it with Mar Musa

Maaloula fits well with a visit to Mar Musa, the monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian, which sits on a cliff in the desert mountains farther north. Reaching it involves a long climb up stone steps, and the reward is a quiet community of monks and nuns, old frescoes and a view across the desert. Simsem hosts offer an overnight stay there.

Other stops on the road between Damascus and Maaloula include Saidnaya, known for its convent of Our Lady, an important pilgrimage site.

How to plan your visit

Most visitors see Maaloula on a half-day or full-day trip from Damascus with a driver or guide. A few things make it easier:

• Getting there: go by car with a driver or with a guide from Damascus. The drive takes about an hour, depending on checkpoints and traffic.
• When to go: spring and autumn are pleasant. Summer days are hot in the gorge, and winter can be cold and windy in the mountains.
• Dress: cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries.
• Respect worship: keep quiet during services and ask before photographing people.
• Money: bring Syrian pounds or small US dollar notes for donations, candles and food.
• Safety: Western governments advise against all travel to Syria. Read our Syria safety guide and travel with a local guide.

Travel with a local guide

Simsem’s hosts can take you from Damascus to Maaloula and the monasteries of the Qalamoun mountains:

See every host and tour on our local guides in Syria page.

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