HALABIYE SITE

The site marries the shape of a triangle delimited by well-preserved walls and it is interesting to take the tour to appreciate its quality. The wall around the Euphrates on 385 m is the most damaged by time. The north and south walls (350 and 550 m, respectively) are drilled with two well-marked doors near the river. The current route crosses the axis delimited by these two doors, which probably constituted the main route of the site.

The gypsum wall is flanked by towers which are set at intervals of not more than 50 m. By crossing the northern wall through a steep road, a larger building is achieved than the towers: . Its dimensions allowed the garrison to stay there. The end of its walls and its vaults is well preserved on three floors. From the top of the building, the view on the river is particularly beautiful. The ruins of Zalabiyé, the site on the opposite shore, are visible in the south. Less well preserved than those in Abu, they are accessible by a road from Deir ez-Zor.
By continuing to climb, the citadel is reached, but its access is dangerous. More easily accessible, the remains of the two basilicas located in the centre of the site. Unfortunately, they are in ruins, and the wall is. Several funeral towers, supplemented by tombs dug in the rock, are visible outside the walls, north of the enclosure.