The site, dating back to the Byzantine Era, contains a number of intact tombs, palaces, lodgings, Basilica church, presses, a tower, wells and tanks. The buildings of the village are characterized with the carved inscriptions and drawings.
"Deir" means a place of worship or monastery and "Sembol" means welfare and goodness so the whole meaning becomes Goodness Monastery, according to historians.
Head of Idleb Antiquities Department Nicola Kabbad said Deir Sinbol Village is a paradigm for what is called a 'residential city'. It contains well designed streets and villas, the most famous of which is 'Facile Lamb Villa'. The villa was named after the inscription of a lamb holding a cross sign on its back.
Head of Excavation Section Anas Zedan said that the village's church lies between Facile Lamb Villa and al-Afandi Palace, adding that the church is in ruinsbecause of a strong earthquake that hit the area in the past, yet it is characterized with its large size.
Authors: R. Milhem / M. Ismael | Source: SANA [May 21, 2011]