Al-Fawwar Spring
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Al-Fawwar spring ( ar, نبع الفوّار, Nab` al-Fawwar) is a
spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a ...
found in northern
Syria Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...
in a town called
Zweitina Zweitina or Zuwaytinah ( ar, زُويتينة / ALA-LC: ''Zūwaytīnah'') is a small Greek Orthodox Christian village located in Western Syria close to the Lebanese borders and administratively belonging to the Homs Governorate. Its location in th ...
, which is administratively belonging to the
Homs Governorate Homs Governorate ( ar, مُحافظة حمص / ALA-LC: ''Muḥāfaẓat Ḥimṣ'') is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in central Syria. Its area differs in various sources, from to . It is thus geographical ...
. It is one of the most important landmarks in the town because of its religious significance, as it is located near the Saint George Monastery. Al-Fawwar is basically a small
grotto A grotto is a natural or artificial cave used by humans in both modern times and antiquity, and historically or prehistorically. Naturally occurring grottoes are often small caves near water that are usually flooded or often flooded at high ti ...
which is entered by going down a few steps where water is released from a few openings. The spring is known for flowing sporadically with random time intervals; the spring might not flow in days or even months. Loud sounds emitted from the underground would usually signal that the spring will flow and are heard minutes before the water starts flowing. The water would usually keep on flowing for a few hours, sometimes a day or two and the water would spread to smaller springs. This phenomenon is explainable and is said to be the result of the water at the opening trapping the air. Under high
pressure Pressure (symbol: ''p'' or ''P'') is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed. Gauge pressure (also spelled ''gage'' pressure)The preferred spelling varies by country and e ...
the air pushes the water and causes this random strong flow of water. People regard this event as an auspicious sign that is to bring good luck and are always happy when this happens. The spring is surrounded with many restaurants, cafeterias and hotels. Thousands visit the Al-Fawwar spring every year, mainly tourists and visitors visiting the
monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...
. This spring was called "''Sabte''" during the reign of the Roman emperor
Titus Titus Caesar Vespasianus ( ; 30 December 39 – 13 September 81 AD) was Roman emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death. Before becoming emperor, Titus gained renown as a mili ...
in Syria.


References


External links


St. George Church and Al-Fawwar spring
Marmarita. Retrieved on 29 November 2006 Springs of Syria Homs Governorate {{HomsSY-geo-stub