Androna

Androna, also known as al-Andarin (Arabic: الأندرين), is a Byzantine site spread over a vast area at the edges of the semi-desert, about 25 kilometers beyond the more well-known Byzantine site of Qasr Ibn Wardan.^[2]

Androna

Arabic: الأندرين
Remains of a large church from west of Androna
Shown within Syria
Alternative name	Al-Andarin
Location	Syria
Region	Aleppo Governorate
Coordinates	35.533248°N 37.360827°E / 35.533248; 37.360827
Site notes
Excavation dates	1905 – ongoing
Archaeologists	H.C. Butler (1905) R. Mouterde, A. Poidebard (1930) Marges Arides Syrian Department of Antiquities director Dr. R. Ugdeh University of Heidelberg director Prof. C. Strube University of Oxford director Dr. Marlia Mango[1]

History

Androna was built as a defense line against nomadic skirmishes in the Syrian Desert. The fortified city contains many churches, palaces and baths;^[3] and was famous for its vineyards and high-quality wine in which it was mentioned by Amr ibn Kulthum in his ode.^[4]

The following is the opening verse of his ode:

أَلاَ هُبِّي بِصَحْنِكِ فَاصْبَحِيْنَـا وَلاَ تُبْقِي خُمُـوْرَ الأَنْدَرِيْنَـا

Translation:

Ha girl! Up with the bowl! Give us our dawn draught
And do not spare the wines of al-Andarina