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Symeon (Qalaat Seman, Deir Samaan) in Northern Syria. The basilica of St. Symeon, a saint better known as Symeon Stylites. He spent the last 30 years of his life on a l5 m high pillar. After his death in 459 an enormous church - four basilicas arranged in the shape of a cross - was built around the sacred pillar. It was completed in 490 and at the time was the largest church in the world. (KEYSTONE/Georg Gerster)