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Saint Simeon's basilica (Qalaat Sam'aan), Aleppo has drawn pilgrims and tourists from all over the world since the 5th century. The Saint Simeon's basilica (Qalaat Sam'aan), Aleppo was a large undertaking over many years. It can be easily viewed by visitors in their Aleppo Travel availing the comfortable transportation around the Saint Simeon's basilica (Qalaat Sam'aan), Aleppo.

St.Simeon was originally a shepherd who had joined the monastery of Telanissos at the age of twenty. However he left the monastery and took to living in a cave because he found the previous life as too undemanding. When he became a well known figure he was approached by several villagers and other common people to receive blessings. To prevent the intrusion of his private meditations he built a pillar nearby of 3 meter around which stands today the Saint Simeon's basilica (Qalaat Sam'aan). With the passage of time this original pillar rose to about 6 and then to 18 m because of repeated renovations.

St Simeon spent a total of 36 years on this basilica. With time his fame spread to the surrounding regions and as far as France and England where he began to be called Simon Stylites, the latter name derived from the Greek “Stylos” meaning pillar. According to the first hand biography which was written on him even the Byzantine emperor consulted him on important doctrinal matters. When he died in 459, he had become one of the most famous persons in the world of 5th century. The emperor sent about 660 troops to carry his body to the great Christian center in Antioch which is now called Antakya.

The structure is very uniquely designed in the shape of a cross composed of four basilicas. Each of these open into a central yard which has a a dome covering it. This dome was the covering of Simon's pillar but was later destroyed in an earthquake and not rebuilt later at any point of time. One of the basilicas here, probably the largest was used for worship while others provided housing facilities for the numerous pilgrims who came to the place. Ultimately the Saint Simeon's basilica (Qalaat Sam'aan) in Aleppo was completed in 490 becoming the most important and largest church at that time adding to its significance in your Aleppo Tours. In stature the Saint Simeon's basilica (Qalaat Sam'aan), Aleppo was only second to the Haghia Sophia in Constantinople and didn't have any rival in Europe till the 11th and 12th centuries.

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Tourist Attractions in Aleppo
Saint Simeon's Basilica, Aleppo	The Citadel, Aleppo