Selected Villages- Um al-Roumman

Umm al-Rumman

is a Syrian village located on the slopes of the Jabal al-Arab mountain range in the Suwayda Governorate, approximately 37 km from the city of Suwayda.

Name: Historically, it was known as Rimona. It is said that the current name is derived from the ancient name (Rimona). Another account, as well as more recent narratives, suggests that the name Umm al-Rumman (Mother of Pomegranates) is derived from the village’s fame for pomegranate cultivation.

History and Heroism: The town is considered one of the ancient villages in Suwayda, a region renowned for its dozens of villages, towns, and archaeological sites. The Romans inhabited the area, as evidenced by the numerous Roman ruins scattered throughout the village. Furthermore, its inhabitants participated in the Great Syrian Revolt against French colonialism.

Landmarks and Antiquities: Researchers and archaeologists agree that several archaeological layers lie beneath the present-day town. Antiquities are found throughout the village and its surroundings. Among the archaeological landmarks are:

Churches, including the church known as the Caesarea.

Historical pools with their high, towering steps. Several pools in the village are connected by an underground network of Roman aqueducts.

The Umari Mosque, dating back to the Islamic era. The magnificent Dar al-Atrash, with its buildings, inscriptions, and overall splendor.

Among the tourist attractions is the Al-Hawwa Cave, also known as Umm al-Rumman Cave. This cave, dating back hundreds of thousands of years, is a natural basalt cave covered in limestone. It features stalactites, stalagmites, and other breathtaking rock formations. The cave extends for 1,800 meters (and the Syrian Ministry of Tourism is considering its development for tourism investment).