As Suwayda-City of natural and historic attractions

History
The town was founded by the Nabataeans as Suada, afterwards it was called Dionysias during Hellenistic and Roman times, for Dionysus the god of wine - the town is situated in a famous ancient wine-producing region.

Agriculture

The apple plantation is one of the major economic activities of Sweida, which produces about 50 thousand tons per year, which has also the finest quality in Syria; its apple has the highest recorded sugar percentage per the apple,That’s because the farmers don't irrigate their trees ever!!
This agriculture was so famous that Sweida itself was called Dionysias for the good of wine Dionysus in the Greek myth, so the wines of Sweida was famous all over the middle east theses times, and till now Sweida produces the finest Syrian wines and Araks (a strong Syrian traditional alcoholic drink).
Bearing the name of Rayan, which reflects the good quality of these beverages in this area, the Rayan Arak gained many international prices like the Leipzig international drink fair in 1984.
It’s believed here that the fertile volcanic soil can afford giving the trees their needs of nutrients without adding many chemicals……..

Archaeology

As Suwayda has some archeological excavations of the ancient Nabataean, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times, most notably the town’s Hellenistic agora, and the remnants of a big Byzantine church from the 6th century most probably the Church of Saint Sergius. the town has also many Roman time old houses that are still inhabited by locals, a conical pond, and a Roman amphitheatre still to be uncovered.