und die Wirkungsstätten einiger Eremiten zugleich die Orte, zu denen die Gläubigen pilgerten. Sie lassen sich als lokale, regionale und überregionale Pilgerstätten erkennen. So ergänzen sich die archäologischen und schriftlichen Quellen auf ideale Weise und ermöglichen es, das Pilgern zu den syrischen Eremiten und, nach ihrem Ableben, zu ihren Wirkungsstätten zu rekonstruieren. Neben den in der Forschungsliteratur bekannten Felseneremitagen werden eine weitere, bisher nicht als eremitische Felseinsiedelei identifizierte Anlage und ein neu entdecktes Felsenkloster in der Wüste von Palmyra in die Betrachtung einbezogen und hier erstmals publiziert.

This volume explores a hitherto little-studied form of Christian pilgrimage: the pilgrimage to hermits in rock hermitages in late antique and early Byzantine Syria. Existing research has exclusively regarded the caves or rock hermitages of the hermits as remote places of isolation, spiritual contemplation and prayer. Pilgrims, in their quest for spiritual guidance and connection, sought not only the company of living hermits but also the opportunity to physically interact with their relics. It is particularly noteworthy that this phenomenon was most prevalent in rock hermitages and the sites of certain hermits. The archaeological and written sources illuminate the hermit way of life of Syrian hermits in the rock hermitages and their relationship to the pilgrims. Conversely, the rock hermitages and the domains of certain hermits also served as destinations for the faithful embarking on pilgrimages. These locations can be identified as local, regional, and supra-regional pilgrimage sites. The integration of archaeological and written sources enables the reconstruction of pilgrimages to Syrian hermits, and, following their demise, to their sites of activity. The present study incorporates not only rock hermitages as referenced in extant literature, but also a hitherto unidentified rock retreat and a newly discovered rock monastery in the Palmyra desert, the publication of both sites being a novelty in this volume.