الجامعـــة الوطنيـــة الخاصـــة

Old Homs City — Homs Governorate
9 April 2026

The Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning organized a scientific visit to Old Homs City in cooperation with Our Heritage Foundation on Thursday, 9 April 2026, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ahed Khuzam, President of Al-Wataniya Private University, and Prof. Dr. Safwat Ibrahim Pasha, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, with the participation of 120 undergraduate students enrolled in the course Architectural Design VII.

The scientific visit commenced at the Orthodox Theatre, located in the heart of Old Homs City—in the Bastan al-Diwan neighborhood—where Dr. Lama Aboud, Director of Our Heritage Foundation, delivered an extensive briefing to the students on the theatre’s pre-war condition and the severe damage sustained by its structure due to the war. Students learned about the successive phases of its restoration and visited the exhibition “From Rubble to Stage.”

Following the “Sun Trail” route, students proceeded to visit several historic landmarks in Old Homs City. Engineer Nazeha Qabani, a member of the Board of Trustees of Our Heritage Foundation, presented architectural and historical overviews to the architecture students on key monuments and their urban evolution, including:

• The Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs
• Al-Fadilah Mosque
• Al-Sarraj Mosque
• Al-‘Aseebati Mosque
• Al-‘Aseebati Hammam (Bathhouse)

The visit also included Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque—one of the city’s most prominent religious and historical landmarks—where students examined the mosque’s architectural features and the restoration works carried out on it. Additionally, they conducted a spatial analysis of the relationship between the built mass and its surrounding urban fabric, enabling deeper understanding of how to engage with heritage buildings within the existing urban context.

At the conclusion of the visit, students toured the Engineers’ Club to study its architectural design and learn about its main activities and events. This was followed by a walkthrough of its sports facilities, restaurants, and game halls, culminating in a visit to the outdoor swimming pool—an experience that left a positive impression and distinctive impact on the students, strengthening the integration and synergy between academic learning and field practice.

The scientific visit aimed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, while enhancing students’ awareness of the importance of preserving urban heritage and rehabilitating it in accordance with contemporary standards. It reflects the vision and objectives of the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning—to organize a series of purposeful scientific activities that develop students’ competencies, equip them with essential field experience, and familiarize them with real-world challenges confronting restoration and urban regeneration projects.