Rasafa

Rasafa is a large (and dead) city situated in the desert south of Tell Mozan. There are remains of Byzantine churches constructed from large gypsum blocks, and the city was an early Christian pilgrimage 

site dedicated to St. Sergius. We were very generously welcomed by the excavators there, who gave us a lengthy tour and a place to stay. I was overwhelmed by the size of the site, and the amount of buildings still standing. It was stunningly beautiful. 

A panoramic view from the outer wall.

One of the remaining Basilicas.

It was late in the day. I couldn't resist.

Another view of the main Basilica.
It is far larger than this picture conveys.

The head of the site discusses things with the head of our site.

I thought the fallen columns looked almost deliberately placed.