QanawatAbout Qanawat
Qanawat is an archaeological site and town in southern Syria’s As-Suwayda Governorate, known from antiquity as Canatha. The site preserves substantial Hellenistic, Roman and later remains including temple foundations, colonnaded streets and funerary architecture.
On site visitors encounter the visible remains of classical-period public buildings and temples along with tombs and stone reliefs; the ruins document the city’s role as a regional centre in antiquity and late antiquity. Many remains are large stone structures set in an open archaeological landscape.
Qanawat grew under Hellenistic and Roman rule and continued as an important urban centre into the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, leaving layered archaeological deposits that reflect successive cultures and administrations.
The ruins lie in southern Syria within As-Suwayda Governorate amid the volcanic and basaltic plateau landscapes of the region.
- Antiquity: Known in antiquity as Canatha, the site contains Hellenistic, Nabatean and Roman-period remains that illustrate its long occupation.
What to See#
- Roman and Byzantine ruins: Ruins of Roman and later temples and public buildings, including colonnaded streets and temple foundations observable in the archaeological area.
- Necropolis: Funerary monuments and tombs in the surrounding necropolis area that reflect the city’s long classical-period occupation.
Nearby Attractions to Qanawat
Best Time to Visit Qanawat
Spring and autumn suit an archaeological visit; always verify security status before travel.
Weather & Climate near Qanawat
Qanawat's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | -1° - 9° | 2° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.6 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 1° - 11° | 3° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 3.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Good | 3° - 15° | 7° | 51 mm | some cloud | 56% | 3.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 6° - 20° | 13° | 19 mm | some cloud | 48% | 3.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Ideal | 10° - 26° | 18° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 40% | 3.2 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.7h |
| June | Ideal | 13° - 30° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 36% | 3.8 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Ideal | 15° - 31° | 23° | 0 mm | clear | 38% | 3.6 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Ideal | 15° - 32° | 23° | 0 mm | clear | 42% | 3.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Ideal | 13° - 30° | 21° | 1 mm | clear | 43% | 3.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 12° - 26° | 19° | 14 mm | mostly sunny | 45% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 6° - 18° | 12° | 30 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 2.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 2° - 12° | 5° | 61 mm | some cloud | 63% | 2.6 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
How to Get to Qanawat
Qanawat is in the southwest of Syria’s Hauran region (As-Suwayda governorate). Historically reached by road from Damascus or As-Suwayda, any visit must be planned with up-to-date advice from authorities and local guides due to security considerations.
Tips for Visiting Qanawat
- Visit the Roman theatre ruins and the remains of the temple of Dushara early in the day to avoid heat and to see reliefs in oblique light.
- Coordinate with local authorities for guided access: some areas are fragile and protected.
- Respect the town's contemporary life - Qanawat is still an inhabited place and not just an archaeological site.