Kafr Takharim, Hananu’s Hometown on the Old Antioch Road

An olive-growing town in a valley between two ridges, 12 kilometres south of Harim and 32 kilometres from Idlib. It is known for three things. The old road linking the Ruj Plain to the Amuq Plain and Antioch ran through it. Ibrahim Hananu was born here, and the town became the base of the revolt he launched against the French in 1919. And today it sits at the centre of the olive belt of the Harim mountains.

Where the town is

Jabal al-Duwayli rises to the west, and to the east Jabal al-Ala, once called Jabal al-Summaq; the town lies in the valley between them. The highest point around is Teltita, at 910 metres. Harim to the north and Salqin to the north-west belong to the same olive belt.

What the name means

There are two explanations, both Aramaic. One reads it as Kafr Harma, the village of Harim. The other takes kafr as farm and takharim as cleft or valley: the farm of the valleys. The second fits the place better.

What is left of the old road

Caravans from Antioch to Idlib, and on to Maarrat al-Numan and Damascus, used this valley. Pieces of the stone paving can still be seen. We could not verify which stretches are exposed today; ask in town.

Hananu and 1919

Ibrahim Hananu was born into a wealthy family in Kafr Takharim, grew up in Aleppo and represented the town at the Syrian National Congress. In 1919 Kafr Takharim became the base of the revolt he led against French rule. At the end of the Ottoman period and at the start of the French Mandate the town was a district centre; after the revolt that status was taken away.

Olives

Most of the town’s 6815 hectares of land is olive grove. There are five olive presses, and trade turns on olives and oil. Vines, figs, almonds, pomegranates and apricots grow between them. The 2004 census counted 10084 people.

How long it takes

An hour to walk around the town; longer if you stop at a press in autumn.

Before you go

The town is close to the Turkish border and the Bab al-Hawa crossing. Unexploded ordnance remains a risk across Idlib governorate: do not walk into fields or olive groves off the road without someone local. Roads and checkpoints change; check the current situation before you set out.

Don’t miss

An olive press in autumn. That is what keeps the town going today, more than the stones of the old road.