Manin, Syria

Mneen
منين
Temple of Mar Takla near Manin
Temple of Mar Takla near Manin
Mneen is located in Syria
Mneen
Mneen
Coordinates: 33°38′32″N 36°17′52″E / 33.64222°N 36.29778°E / 33.64222; 36.29778
Country Syria
GovernorateRif Dimashq
Districtal-Tall
Subdistrictal-Tall
Elevation
1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Population
 (2004 census)[1]
 • Total17,521
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

Manin or Ain Manin (Arabic: منين) is a small town in southern Syria about 18 kilometers north of Damascus. Manin is a popular tourist site, surrounded by seven small mountains with the Manin valley between them. The Manin river flows from a mountain dubbed "Al-Ain" (Arabic : العين) and continues until it reaches the suburbs of Damascus. The town has an elevation of roughly 1,200 meters above sea level.[2] According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, Manin had a population of 17,521 in the 2004 census.[1] In the 1960s it was reported to be a relatively large village with 3,200 inhabitants.[2] Its inhabitants are predominantly Sunni Muslims.[3]

Recent discoveries at another mountain named (Mar Takla) (From Arabic : مار تقلا, Saint Thecla) show that the town had a long history, especially in the Roman and Byzantine periods, with two temples carved in the mountain's stone as well as many houses and tombs.[4] St. Helena had two churches constructed in Manin.[2]

  1. ^ a b General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Rif Dimashq Governorate. (in Arabic)
  2. ^ a b c Boulanger, 1966, p. 303.
  3. ^ Smith, in Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 172
  4. ^ معابد منين , تأليف محمود حمود و ابراهيم عميري