Western Syria
Western Syria is home to the capital city of Damascus, as well as many of the region’s most famous castles.
The region of Western Syria encompasses the Mediterranean coastline between the cities of Latakia and Tartus in the northwest and the Anti-Lebanon mountains and the capital of Damascus in the southwest. This was the most densely populated region of Syria in ancient times and remains so today. In Roman times, the city of Apamea was a major center of culture and trade. The Crusader presence was also most strongly felt in Western Syria, highlighted by the Krak des Chevaliers as well as the Qalaat Saladin. The capital of Damascus has been the political center of the region since the Islamic period.