JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE
OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
IN GREECE, IN SYRIA AND AT MALTA
ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL APOSTLE

4-9 MAY 2001

DOCUMENTATION

[Updated: 19.04.2001]

S Y R I A

Al-Suriyya
Syrian Arab Republic
Al-Jumhuriyya al-'Arabiyya as-Suriyya

GOLAN HEIGHTS
QUNAYTRA

Qunaytra is 35 kilometers from the Israeli border and is actually a city completely uninhabited and full of ruins. It was occupied by Israel in 1967 and its 53,000 inhabitants were evacuated. In 1974, prior to its restitution it was completely destroyed. In the center of the city there are the ruins of the Greek-Orthodox Church (very damaged), Greek-Catholic Church and Mosque. The territory is actually under the control of the United Nations by Austrian forces. The city is found on the road so-called "St. Paul’s" because it connects Jerusalem with Damascus and was the resting place for all the passing caravans. Not far from the border, there is the "Bridge of the Daughters of Jacob". Three kilometers from the city there is the Qunaytra "Friendsgarden", a garden representing the symbol of peace and hope of reconstruction.

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