Serjilla: A Ghost Town in Syria

A rural community that has stood for over 1,500 years is slowly disappearing, serving as a monument to centuries long past.

Reasons for the Decline

Serjilla hasn’t experienced any catastrophic events leading to a mass exodus of its residents. The small agricultural settlement was untouched by natural disasters, and while epidemics and raids occurred, they did not cause its downfall. Instead, the town gradually faded into the surrounding landscape, remaining forgotten yet intriguingly preserved over the years.

The Dead Cities of Syria

Serjilla is part of a group of 800 small villages from the 5th century known as the Dead Cities of Syria, which are remarkably well-preserved and offer valuable insights into life in small Byzantine agricultural communities. Located just 80 kilometers southwest of Aleppo, Serjilla stands as one of the best-preserved examples among these Dead Cities.

History and Economy

Founded in 473 CE, Serjilla was a small but thriving agricultural settlement. Like its neighboring villages, it focused on cultivating olives, producing olive oil, growing grapes, making wine, and harvesting wheat. Sitting along fruitful trade routes, the inhabitants led a modest Christian life, emphasizing simplicity over extravagance in their buildings and lifestyles. Archaeologists note this quality of modesty as a defining trait of the city, typical of agricultural settlements from 1,500 years ago.

Changes in Power and Decline

The rise of the Umayyad dynasty brought shifts in trade routes, leading to the gradual abandonment of the Dead Cities. While isolated raids by Arab conquerors occurred during this period, the migration from Serjilla and nearby settlements was primarily driven by economic motivations.

Current State

Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Serjilla, which include a Christian church, a two-story villa, and a small structure that once served as an olive press. Despite the slow decline of the city rather than a hasty abandonment, those who visit can sense an eerie atmosphere permeating Serjilla and the surrounding desolate landscapes.