Baniyas

Baniyas (Arabic: بانياس) is a city of northwestern Syria that is located 55 km to the south of Latakia. In Phoenician times, it was an important seaport. It was known to the Greeks as Balemia.

It was famous for its orchards and its export of wood. Today it is better known for its oil refinery. It still contains citrus fruit orchards surrounded by green hills. On one of the hills is the imposing Margat Citadel, a huge fortress of black basalt stone.