Damascus, Sept. 21 (SANA) Nestled in the Qalamoun Mountains, the town of Maaloula carries layers of Syria’s cultural memory through its stone-built homes, ancient monasteries and the Aramaic language still spoken by some of its residents.
With homes built along mountain slopes, narrow paths leading toward monasteries and caves, and traditions passed down through generations, Maaloula represents a rare combination of architectural, religious and linguistic heritage.
Aramaic language: preserving generations of memory
A 2022 academic study titled “The Maaloula Aramaic Corpus” found that the language spoken in Maaloula belongs to the Modern Western Aramaic dialect group, which is also used in Jubb’adin and Bakh’a in Damascus countryside, as well as among some members of these communities living elsewhere.
The study, prepared by researchers Ghattas Eid, Esther Seyffarth and Ingo Plag, was published as part of the proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation.
It classified Modern Western Aramaic as an endangered language based on UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. The study placed it at level seven on the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale, indicating a stage of declining transmission between generations.
Researchers compiled a database of 64,845 words from field recordings provided by 45 native speakers from Maaloula, including stories, legends, religious traditions, local customs, personal experiences, agricultural practices, songs and poems.
The material highlighted the role of language in preserving community memory and inherited traditions.
Maaloula’s file on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites also highlights the continued use of local Aramaic and its presence in some religious practices. It stresses the importance of documenting vocabulary, oral traditions and songs, particularly as the language becomes less frequently passed between generations.
A mountain town shaped by architecture
Maaloula’s landscape has shaped its distinctive urban character, with homes built into the slopes and pathways connecting caves, monasteries and churches.
The town’s architecture reflects adaptation to its mountainous environment, climate and residents’ needs, preserving generations of knowledge about building methods and the relationship between people and their surroundings.
The Monastery of Saint Thecla and the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus are among Maaloula’s most significant religious and historical landmarks.
Jihad Abu Kahla, director of antiquities in Damascus countryside, told SANA that the Monastery of Saint Thecla was built at the site of her tomb and above her original rock-cut church.
The Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus is linked to the early history of Christianity in the region. According to Maaloula’s UNESCO file, the origins of the church and monastery date to the early fourth century, with construction believed to have taken place between 313 and 325 AD over an earlier place of worship.
The sites have undergone successive changes and restoration efforts and continue to serve spiritual and social roles within the community.
Residents at the center of preservation
Abu Kahla said Maaloula’s heritage is closely connected to its residents, describing them as the “living witnesses” who preserve the relationship between the town’s history and present-day life.
He said monasteries, churches and historic buildings are not isolated monuments but remain connected to the daily practices of residents and visitors.
“The value of Maaloula lies in the continuing relationship between its people and its heritage sites,” he said.
Challenges facing heritage and identity
Maaloula faces challenges affecting both its physical and cultural heritage, including population migration and the abandonment of historic homes.
The lack of regular maintenance leaves older buildings vulnerable to deterioration. Abu Kahla said protecting Maaloula requires supporting residents’ ability to remain in the town or return to it.
The town’s mountain architecture and interconnected buildings make restoration more complex and costly, particularly when traditional materials compatible with the historic character of the structures are required.
Experts also point to the need to protect the town’s visual landscape, including homes, pathways, infrastructure and surrounding natural environment.
Supporting heritage through the local economy
Abu Kahla said preservation efforts should include technical and financial support for restoring homes and helping residents maintain them as living spaces.
He said heritage guesthouses, traditional restaurants, handicrafts and responsible cultural tourism could create economic opportunities for young people while protecting Maaloula’s identity.
He also highlighted the importance of specialized programs to teach Aramaic and document its vocabulary, stories and songs to support transmission to future generations.
Elias, a Maaloula native living abroad, told SANA that circumstances forced him to leave the town during childhood. He said he plans to return after retirement, restore his old home and rehabilitate his agricultural land.
UNESCO pathway
Maaloula was added to Syria’s UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites on June 8, 1999, under the category of cultural sites, based on its architectural, religious and linguistic significance and its connection to the mountain landscape.
A full nomination to the World Heritage List requires updating the scientific file, defining protection zones, establishing a sustainable conservation plan and documenting the condition of buildings, urban areas and challenges facing residents.
Modern Western Aramaic and related oral traditions require a separate documentation and preservation process as intangible cultural heritage.
Together, these efforts could strengthen Maaloula’s international cultural profile and support heritage protection initiatives.
In Maaloula, the past remains visible in its stone homes, mountain paths and Aramaic words still heard in daily life. Preserving that heritage depends not only on protecting buildings and language, but also on supporting the community that keeps them alive.
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