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Maaloula, with two other nearby towns, are the only places
where the western dialect of Aramic is spoken.
It is a mainly Christian town (Melkite) located 56 km north-east
of Damascus. It was built into the rugged mountainside, at an
altitude of more than 1500 meters. In 2005 population of the
town was 2,000.
There are two important monasteries in Maaloula: Mar Sarkis and
Mar Taqla. First one was built in the 4th century on the remains
of a pagan temple, designed on the model of martyries which have
a simple and plain appearance.
It was named after St. Sarkis (St. Sergius), a Roman soldier who
was executed for his Christian beliefs.
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