Tartus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tartus طَرْطُوس Tortosa
City
Tartus corniche  Port of Tartus • Tartus beach and boulevard  Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa • Al-Assad Stadium  Citadel of Tartus
Seal
Nickname(s):  Rope; (Arabic: حبل)
Tartus Location in Syria Show map of Syria Tartus Location in Eastern Mediterranean Show map of Eastern Mediterranean Tartus Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Country	Syria
Governorate	Tartus Governorate
District	Tartus District
Subdistrict	Tartus Subdistrict
Established	2nd millennium BC
Founded by	Phoenicians
Area
• Land	20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation	22 m (72 ft)
Population  (2004 census)
• City	115,769
• Metro	162,980
Demonym(s)	Arabic: طرطوسي, romanized: Ṭarṭūsi
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Area code(s)	Country code: 963, City code: 43
Geocode	C5221
Climate	CSa
Website	eTartus

Tartus (Arabic: طَرْطُوس / ALA-LC: Ṭarṭūs), also known as Tortosa in the past, is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria. It is the second largest port city in Syria, after Latakia. Tartus is also the biggest city in the Tartus Governorate, which became a separate region in the 1970s.

In 2004, the city had a population of 115,769 people. During the summer, Tartus is a popular vacation spot for many Syrians. You can find many resorts and vacation homes in the area. The port also hosts a small Russian naval base.

What's in a Name?

The ancient Phoenician people founded the city. They named it Antarados, which means "The town facing Arwad." This name came from the Greek words Anti-Arados.

Later, the Romans called it Tortosa in Latin. The current Arabic name, Ṭarṭūs, comes from this original name. The French name Tartous and the English name Tartus are also based on Ṭarṭūs.

A Look Back in Time

Ancient Beginnings

Bronze bull statue, possibly of the Egyptian god Apis. Found in Tartus, from the 1st-2nd century CE.

The history of Tartus began around 2000 BC. It was founded by the Phoenicians as a colony of Arwad, a very important island city nearby. This mainland settlement was called Antaradus. Not much is left of the Phoenician city today.

Roman and Byzantine Eras

Greek gold bell with fancy designs, around 390 AD.

Funeral mask from the 1st century BC to 4th century AD.

During the Roman Empire, the city was known as Antaradus. People believed the city was special because of its strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. The first chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built here in the 3rd century.

Early Islamic Period

In 634 AD, Islamic rule began in Syria. Arab armies conquered Tartus in 636 AD, led by Ubada ibn as-Samit. Mu'awiya I, an important leader, helped build up the city. He also gave land to the soldiers stationed there.

The Crusader Era

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa, built during the Crusader period.

The Crusaders, who were European knights, called the city Tortosa. They captured it in 1099 during the First Crusade. After taking the city, they built a large cathedral over an older Byzantine church. This cathedral became a popular place for pilgrims.

Templar Chapel inside the Citadel of Tartus.

In 1152, the city was given to the Knights Templar, a powerful group of warrior monks. They made Tortosa their military headquarters. The Templars built a strong castle around 1165. It had a large chapel and strong double walls to protect the city from attacks.

In 1188, the Muslim leader Saladin recaptured Tortosa. The main Templar headquarters moved to Cyprus. However, some Templars stayed in the castle's keep, which is the strongest part of a castle. They held onto it for another 100 years, making its defenses even stronger. Finally, in 1291, the keep also fell. Tortosa was the very last place the Templars held on the Syrian mainland. After this, they moved to the nearby island of Arwad for a short time.

Ottoman Rule

A map of the Citadel of Tartus from 1871.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule, Tartus became important again because of trade with Cyprus and Europe. Its port was very strategic for defense. In 1832, the city was taken by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the ruler of Egypt.

British Royal Marines attacking the Citadel of Tartus in 1840.

In 1840, during a war between Egypt and the Ottoman Empire, British ships attacked the citadel in Tartus. Even with heavy fighting, the British could not capture the fort. After the war, the city returned to the Ottoman Empire and remained under their rule until 1918.

Modern Times

Hamrat street in Tartus, 1970.

Tartus has continued to grow and develop in modern times.

City Landscape

Green forests and meadows near Tartus.

Tartus is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. To the east, it is bordered by the Syrian Coastal Mountain Range. Arwad, the only inhabited island on the Syrian coast, is just a few kilometers offshore. The city sits on a coastal plain, with mountains made mostly of limestone to its east.

Weather in Tartus

Tartus has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. There are also short periods of change in April and October. The mountains to the east make the climate cooler and bring more rain. Tartus is known for its mild weather and higher rainfall compared to other parts of Syria.

Economy and Industry

Trade and Production

The port of Tartus.

Tartus is a very important trade center in Syria. It has one of the country's two main ports on the Mediterranean Sea. The port is growing a lot, as many goods for rebuilding Iraq come through Tartus.

The city also has a large cement factory that makes 6,500 tons of cement every day. The pharmaceutical industry is also growing, with seven new factories opening recently. Food, chemical, and wood processing industries are also found in the city's industrial area.

Many people in Tartus work in the service sector, like tourism or other helpful jobs. A high number of people with good education work in these areas.

Tourism in Tartus

The city promenade at night.

Beaches near the city boulevard.

Tartus is a favorite place for tourists. It is a modern city with nice buildings, markets, and resorts. The beaches of Tartus stretch for about 90 km along the Syrian coast. They have soft sand, chalets, hotels, and restaurants. The city has seen new investments in tourism, like the Antaradus and Porto waterfront projects.

Russian Naval Base

Tartus hosts a Soviet-era naval base. This base provides supplies and maintenance for Russian ships. It is the last Russian military base outside the former Soviet Union. It is also Russia's only fueling spot in the Mediterranean Sea. This saves Russian warships from having to travel all the way back to their Black Sea bases.

Culture and Arts

Festivals and Music

Tartus, painted by Luigi Mayer in 1810.

Tartus hosts many cultural events, art festivals, and theater shows. In the summer, the Tartous Art Festival takes place, featuring famous Syrian and Arab artists. There is also a tourist festival called Antaradus.

Famous composers Assi Rahbani and Mansour Rahbani often visited Tartus. They loved the city and even wrote a song called Shabab Al-Hilweh about it. Many talented artists, like singer Farrah Yousef and actor Taim Hasan, are from Tartus. The city has also been home to many poets and writers.

Tartus Museum

The National Museum of Tartus in 1987.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa was built in the 12th century by the Knights Templar. Over time, it was used as a mosque and then as army barracks. Since 1956, this historic building has been the National Museum of Tartus. It displays ancient items found in the region, including from Amrit.

An ash chest with a Christian symbol, displayed in the national museum.

In 2021, the museum began a big project to restore and fix its old architectural parts.

Sports in Tartus

Bassel al-Assad Stadium.

Tartus Municipal Stadium.

Tartus is home to one sports club, Al-Sahel SC, founded in 1971. The club has teams for football, basketball, table tennis, and bodybuilding. They play in two stadiums in the city: the Municipal Stadium (which holds 1,300 people) and Bassel Al-Assad Stadium (which holds 8,000 people).

In 2018, Al-Sahel's football team reached the top Syrian Premier League for the first time. The women's basketball team also plays at the highest level in Syria.

Education Opportunities

Tartus has several colleges that are part of Tishreen University in Latakia. These include colleges for Arts and Technical Engineering. These colleges help expand higher education in Syrian cities.

The city also has many institutes, high schools, and primary schools. These are run by the Ministry of Education. There are also many private schools and educational centers.

City Life and Transport

A residential neighborhood in Tartus at night.

Modern streets in downtown Tartus.

Al-Bassel Public Park in the city center.

Tartus has grown and developed a lot, like other cities in Syria. It has seen much urban development, with new neighborhoods and an expanded city plan. The city also has beautiful parks, like Al-Basel Park, which are great places for people to relax.

The new sea corniche, a walkway along the coast, adds to the city's charm. Many people from other parts of Syria, Europe, and Arab countries visit Tartus to enjoy its beautiful sea views. The city is special because it is surrounded by mountains and forests, offering lovely natural scenery.

Getting Around Tartus

Al-Thawra Street.

Tartus has a good road system. The M1 international highway connects Tartus and Latakia. The city is also connected to Damascus by the M5 highway through Homs. There are plans to build a new international road linking Tartus to Iraq and the Arab Gulf. This would be the shortest route from the Arab Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea through the Port of Tartus. Al-Thawra Street, named after the 1963 March Revolution, is the main commercial road along the coast.

The railway network, run by Chemins de Fer Syriens, connects Tartus to other Syrian cities. Currently, passenger trains run between Latakia and Tartus, and between Tartus, Al Akkari, and Homs. There are also talks about restoring the rail link with Iraq and extending the railway from Iraq to Tartus.

Places to See

Boats in Tartus harbor.

A former Templar citadel, which was later a naval fortress.

The old part of Tartus has newer buildings built on and inside the walls of the Crusader-era Templar fortress. The moat of the fortress still separates this old town from the modern city. Outside the fortress, you can see the old Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Tartus, which dates back to the 12th century.

A Phoenician Temple (Ma'abed) in Amrit of Tartus, 2006.

Tartus and the areas around it are full of ancient sites and historical places. Many important sites are just a short drive away from the city. These include:

• The old city of Tartus.
• Margat Castle, north of the city.
• The historic town of Safita.
• Arwad island and its castle.
• The ancient Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa, now the city museum.
• Beit el-Baik Palace.
• Sheikh Saleh al-Ali shrine in Al-Shaykh Badr.
• Hosn Suleiman Temple.
• Drekish town-resort.

Besides these historical sites, there are also modern attractions like:

• Alrimal Alzahabeya beach resort.
• Junada hotel (formerly Porto Tartous).
• Holiday beach resort.
• Mashta Al Helou resort.

The town of Al Hamidiyah, just south of Tartus, is interesting because it has a Greek-speaking population. These people are descendants of Greek Muslims from the island of Crete. Their ancestors moved there in the late 19th century as refugees.

International Connections

Sister Cities

Tartus is twinned with these cities:

Famous People from Tartus

• Saadallah Wannous (1941–1997), a famous playwright.
• Sheikh Saleh Al-Ali, a Syrian revolutionary who fought against the French.
• Dr. Halim Barakat, a novelist and sociologist.
• Mohammad Yousaf Abu al-Farah Tartusi, a Muslim saint.
• Jamal Suliman, an actor.
• Taim Hasan, a well-known actor.
• Farrah Yousef, a singer and finalist on Arab Idol Season 2.
• Assef Shawkat, a former deputy Minister of Defense of Syria.
• Mohsen Saeed Hussein Khaddour, a Syrian Arab Army officer known as Lion of Al-Badia.

See also

In Spanish: Tartús para niños