Happy TravellerWelcome to Kafr Zita, a town located in the Hama Governorate of northern Syria. With a population of over 17,000 people, Kafr Zita is a small but vibrant community that is steeped in history and culture. The town is situated just 30 kilometers north of Hama, and is surrounded by a number of other localities including Kafr Nabudah, al-Habit, Khan Shaykhun, Mork, Suran, al-Lataminah, Halfaya, Mahardah, Tremseh, Kirnaz, and Hayalin. Whether you are interested in exploring the town’s rich history, sampling its delicious cuisine, or simply soaking up the local culture, Kafr Zita has something to offer everyone.
One of the most interesting things about Kafr Zita is its name. The first word, Kafr, is a Syriac word for farm or village, while the second word, Zita, is another Syriac word that refers to olive oil. This is because the town is known for its cultivation of olives, which is still one of the main crops grown in the area. In recent years, pistachios have also become popular due to their better economic revenue.
Kafr Zita has a rich history that dates back to the Byzantine period in the 5th century. The ruins of a church from this period can still be seen in the town today. During the late Ottoman era between the 18th and 19th centuries, the residents of Kafr Zita were regularly in arrears for tax payment and had to obtain financial assistance. During the French Mandate in Syria, Kafr Zita was organized as a collective farming village. In 1975, the nahiyahs of Kafr Zita and Mhardeh were joined together to form the mantiqah of Mhardeh, with the latter as capital.
In more recent times, Kafr Zita has been caught up in the Syrian uprising against the government of Bashar al-Assad. In December 2012, government forces bombed the town, leaving three children dead. Later that month, rebels claimed to have captured Kafr Zita and a string of other nearby towns during an offensive against government forces in the vicinity of Hama. In September 2013, a checkpoint between Kafr Zita and Morek was captured by rebels. However, by early January 2014, the town was controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Later on, ISIL was removed from the town by the rebels. In August 2019, the rebel and Islamic factions including jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham had withdrawn from Kafr Zita in north Hama province.
Despite the challenges that Kafr Zita has faced in recent years, the town remains a vibrant and welcoming community that is proud of its history and culture. Whether you are interested in exploring the town’s rich history, sampling its delicious cuisine, or simply soaking up the local culture, Kafr Zita is a destination that should not be missed. So why not plan your visit today and discover all that this charming town has to offer?
