Hama

Hama is an important agricultural and industrial centre and, apart from Damascus, is considered the most picturesque city in Syria. The chief attraction of Hama is the great norias (waterwheels), which originated in Byzantine times and are the oldest surviving wheels dating back to 13th-century. The norias were used to raise water from the river into aqueducts. Today, the wheels are no longer used, but remain for historical interest.

Hama's Museum, housed in Beit Al-Azem, is a splendid example of 18th-century Ottoman architecture. There are lovely courtyards with central fountains, mosaics, richly decorated wood ceilings and paneled walls, marble floors and wax models of various aspects of Syrian life in bygone days, illustrating the sumptuousness of a Pasha's life.

Hama is home to numerous mosques and Greek Orthodox churches, as well as Hama Citadel which was once the site of an 11th century BC Royal Palace and later a Muslim fortress.