Boat Building on Arwad: Preserving Syria’s Maritime Heritage
Imagine standing on a small Mediterranean island, where the rhythm of hammers against wood echoes through narrow streets, and the salty breeze carries centuries of craftsmanship. This is Arwad—the only inhabited island in Syria—where boat building has been at the heart of life for generations.
Today, in an era of fiberglass and mass production, Arwad’s boatyards remain a living museum of wooden shipbuilding. But they are also more than that: they are a symbol of cultural identity and resilience.
In this article, we’ll explore the story of boat building on Arwad, how it developed, and why it still matters.
Arwad has a maritime history stretching back thousands of years. Once a Phoenician stronghold, the island’s shipbuilders contributed to some of the most advanced naval technologies of the ancient world. The Phoenicians were legendary sailors and traders, and Arwad was one of their key shipbuilding hubs.
Over the centuries, the tradition survived invasions, wars, and economic shifts. Wooden boats from Arwad became essential for fishing, trade, and transport along the Levantine coast..
The Legacy of Arwad’s Shipwrights
How the Boats Are Built
Walking into an Arwad shipyard is like stepping back in time. The process is almost entirely manual:
Selecting the wood: Local builders often use oak or mulberry, prized for their strength and flexibility.
Shaping the frame: Craftsmen use hand tools to bend and shape the wooden ribs of the boat.
Planking and sealing: Wooden planks are carefully fitted together, sealed with natural materials, and reinforced with iron nails.
Finishing touches: Finally, boats are painted in vibrant colors, often blue and white, reflecting both practical and cultural choices.
Each vessel is unique, the product of skill passed down from father to son.
A Craft at Risk
Despite its beauty and heritage, boat building on Arwad is under threat. Modern materials like fiberglass are cheaper and require less maintenance. Younger generations, faced with economic hardship, often leave the island for work elsewhere.
Yet, local shipwrights continue their work, supported by cultural initiatives and tourism. For visitors, seeing the craft in action is a powerful reminder of the island’s resilience and identity.
Why It Matters
Arwad’s boat building is not only about producing fishing vessels—it is about preserving memory. These boats connect Syrians to their Phoenician past, to their island culture, and to a seafaring identity that has shaped the Mediterranean for millennia.
By supporting the craft, whether through tourism, heritage projects, or storytelling, we ensure that this living tradition is not lost to time.
Boat building on Arwad is more than a trade—it is a heritage that binds past and present. As wooden planks become vessels and vessels become lifelines, the story of Arwad’s shipwrights continues to sail forward.
Have you ever witnessed traditional craftsmanship that felt like stepping back in time? visit Arwad and experience this first hand.