Maaloula or Maʿlūlā (Aramaic: ܡܥܠܘܠܐ in Eastern Aramaic Syriac script, מעלולא in Western Aramaic Maalouli script; Arabic: معلولا) is a town in the Rif Dimashq Governorate in Syria. The town is located 56 km to the northeast of Damascus and built into the rugged mountainside, at an altitude of more than 1500 m. It is known as one of four remaining villages where Western Neo-Aramaic is spoken, the other three being the nearby villages of Saidnaya, Jubb'adin and Bakhah.
There are two important monasteries in Maaloula: the Melkite Greek Catholic Church Mar Sarkis and Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch Convent of Saint Thecla.
Saint Sarkis Monastic Complex
The Saint Sarkis Monastic Complex of Maaloula is one of the oldest surviving monasteries in Syria. It was built on the site of a pagan temple, and has elements, which go back to the fifth to sixth century Byzantine period.
Saint Sarkis is the Syriac name for Saint Sergius, a Roman soldier who was executed for his Christian beliefs. This monastery still maintains its solemn historical character.
The monastery has two of the oldest icons in the world, one depicting the Last Supper.
Convent of Saint Thecla
This convent holds the remains of Thecla, which the second-century Acts of Paul and Thecla accounts a noble virgin and pupil of Paul the Apostle. According to later legend not in the Acts, Thecla was being pursued by soldiers of her father to capture her because of her Christian faith. She came upon a mountain, and after praying, the mountain split open and let her escape through. The town gets its name from this gap or entrance in the mountain. However, there are many variations to this story among the residents of Maaloula.
Other monasteries
There are also the remains of numerous monasteries, convents, churches, shrines and sanctuaries. There are some that lie in ruins, while others continue to stand, defying age. Many pilgrims come to Maaloula, both Muslim and Christian, and they go there to gain blessings and make offerings.