Scars of war linger on Syria’s Saint Simeon monastery

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, July 22, 2026

A French archaeological team recently assessed damage to the fifth-century Saint Simeon monastery in northern Syria, which has suffered extensive destruction from conflict, looting, and natural disasters over the past decade. The evaluation aims to guide restoration efforts supported by Syrian and French institutions, with hopes of preserving the site’s cultural heritage and reopening it to visitors and pilgrims.

Near the base of a column once occupied by Saint Simeon Stylites, the ruins of a fifth-century Byzantine monastery in northern Syria bear visible scars from years of conflict, looting, and illegal excavations. A French archaeological team recently visited the Saint Simeon monastery to assess the damage and explore possible restoration efforts after more than a decade of Syria’s civil war.

The monastery, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes numerous ancient abandoned villages known as the “dead cities,” has suffered extensive harm since hostilities began in 2011. According to site director Abdel Jalil Arabi, the complex has faced “looting, illegal excavation, military use, and neglect” throughout the conflict. Control of the site shifted among various armed groups during the war. It was also hit by an airstrike in 2016 and sustained further damage from a major earthquake in 2023. Arabi estimated that 30 to 40 percent of the monastery remains damaged, citing the collapse of the western arch and its supporting columns, while the monks’ living quarters appeared relatively intact.

The Saint Simeon monastery is notable for being built around a column on which Saint Simeon Stylites reportedly sat for years in prayer. Arabi noted that the base of the column still exists, but the rest is scattered, requiring reconstruction. Archaeologist Micheline Kurdy, a French-Syrian scholar who has focused her doctoral research on the site, said there is irreversible damage in the southeastern section of the monastery, but the adjacent church remains structurally sound. Kurdy emphasized the need to revisit old architectural plans to aid in restoring the column’s base and remaining segments.

The destruction of the Saint Simeon site echoes broader patterns affecting Syria’s cultural heritage amid the civil war. Once regarded as a treasure trove for archaeologists, the country’s archaeological sites and museums have faced widespread damage and plundering over the past 15 years. Palmyra, for instance, gained international attention after it was heavily damaged by the Islamic State group in 2015.

French officials involved in the restoration project underscored the importance of safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage. Jean-Baptiste Faivre, French charge d’affaires in Syria, stated that the site holds significant value not only for the country’s history but also its future. Cooperation between the Syrian Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums and French cultural institutions is planned to support the restoration and development of the site.

Vincent Gelot from the French Catholic organization Oeuvre d’Orient, which is assisting with the project, said restoration efforts are backed by donors and partners including the French Embassy and the Aliph Foundation, which specializes in protecting heritage in conflict zones. Gelot expressed hope that once restored, the monastery will again welcome tourists and pilgrims, underscoring that the site continues to convey a powerful historical and spiritual message.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.