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DAMASCUS
THE OLDEST CITY STILL STANDING IN THE WORLD

Damascus is located on longitude 36ú 18’ east and latitude 33ú 21’ north and at altitude 690m above
mean see level.
Damascus is an embracing enchantment, opening on Barada river banks pages and pages of time,
which has passed. Surrounding it the greenery of Ghouta oasis vivifying air of Zabadani and
Bloudan Mountain it is perhaps the oldest still existing town in the world
Its oasis on the gates of the desert has attracted Man since the remotest times. Archeological find
at Tal Al-Ramad near Katana (25 km south west of the city) are from the VI millennium B.C. tablets
found at Ebla, in central of Syria, confirming that Damascus was a substantial town in the III
millennium B.C. Egyptian documents call it “Damashka” nearly the same that the present local
name “dimashk”, around the middle of the II millennium B.C. it became the center of an important
Aramean kingdom and some believe that its name comes from an old Aramean (Semitic) word
“Dameq” meaning the irrigated land. The Aramean are north Arabs whose language was spoken
by Christ and is still spoken in some villages around Damascus (Maaloula, Jaba’adin, Bakhaa)
during the Roman period, Damascus was famous for its architects who adopted the chessboard
town planning system. It goes without saying that religious monuments occupied a prominent
place in Damascus throughout history. Thus, an Aramean temple, dedicated to the local God
“Hadad” became a temple of “Zeus” during the Hellenistic period, a temple of “Jupiter” during the
Roman era, a church of St. John was built during the Byzantine period and is now the famous
Umayyad mosque. The classical Corinthian columns, with their beautifully decorated friezes, are
still extant.
Damascus witnessed a great number of historic periods, the Aramean, the Hellenistic, the Roman,
and the Byzantine, during which many churches were built, but its golden age became at the dawn
of Islam with Umayyad era (661-750) when it became the capital of the huge Empire extending from
Spain to India. After which came the Abbasids, Fatemide, Seljoukide, Atabek, Ayoubite, Mamluk,
Ottoman, and French period. It passed through intervals of splendour and decadence, but it
remained always a big town and true representative of the current civilization.
Its old remains are still buried beneath the town, but what is standing gives enough evidence of the
greatness of the town:
Umayyad mosque:
As told previously, it stands on the location of successive religious monuments. It was built by
Umayyad caliph Al-Walid Ben Abdul-Malek (705-715A.D., 86-96 of Higra) some historians report that
its construction cost eleven million gold dinars.
It is well proportioned, beautifully designed and adorned with many mosaic panels. A rectangular
area 156x97m. Encompasses a central courtyard surrounded a covered arcade followed on one
side by a huge prayer room. The mosque has three main gates features the “Dome of the Eagle”
which rises to a height of 36m. Supported by four solid piers. The prayer room is divided into four
naves. It features also four minarets and 88 windows, each two of them above a big vault, adorned
with stained glass.
Mosaic and marble decorations feature geometric figures and stylized plant representations. The
architectural perfection of the spirit. It is construction took ten years (705-715A.D.) and it is located
at the very center of the old town at the end ok Souk Hamidieh. It includes what is believed to be
the tomb of St. john the Baptist and in the neibourhood lies the tomb of Salaheddin (Saladin).
National Museum:
It is very important museum on the world scale. Its collections are rationally distributed according
to periods, sites and artfully arranged. It includes the following sections:
Pre-historic section:
It contains valuable collection of Neolithic artifacts, including stone tools, potteries, and bone tools.
It contains also fossils of extinct animals.
Old Syrian Section:
Contains collections of objects found un the old cities of Ebla, Mari, Ugarit, … and etc, as well as
objects from other archeological sites such as Kazel, Tal Al-khwera, and Tal Rifaat, …etc.
Hellenistic, Roman & Byzantine Section:
Contains very rich collection of objects found in Syria and belonging to the above- mentioned
periods, including potteries, stone sculptures, metal objects, arms, jewels, casting, textiles, mural
frescoes, manuscripts and mosaic panels.
Arab-Islamic Section:
It contains the richest collections of the museum, including the mural frescoes discovered at WEST
AL-HIR castle, potteries, ceramics, metal objects, wood objects, arms, castings, jewels, coins,
manuscripts, and etc.
Modern Art Section:
Contains examples of works by modern and contemporary Syrian artists, including paintings,
sculptures and other arts. It is arranged according to art schools: Classical, Naturalist,
Impressionist, Cubist, Surrealist, Abstract, and etc.
Open Air Section of the Museum:
It contains huge stone works distributed between beautiful very old trees and beds of flowers
surrounding a water pool.

Damascus has also the following important museums:
Damascus Historical Museum:
It is located at Azem House, Thawra Street, and contains collections of dealing with the history of
Damascus itself. There is collection of photographic pictures showing the old quarters of
Damascus before the present day renovation, a collection of paintings and drawings of Damascus
during various periods, a collection of reduced model showing the extension and urban
architecture of Damascus during various period, and a collection of archeological objects and
artifacts.
Museum of Arab Medicine and Sciences:
It is located at the NURI’S BIMARISTAN (hospital), Harika quarter. It is contains objects used by
ancient Arab physicians and scientists paintings at the most famous of them and things relating to
medicine and sciences of old times.
Museum of Arabic Calligraphy:
It is located at the Jakmakieh Madressa (which back to the Mamluk era), North t o Umayyad
Mosque. Specimens of beautifully calligraphed Arabic writings on various kinds of support
belonging to different periods are being kept here together with tools used for writing the Arabic
script in its various forms during the said periods, it is to be noted that calligraphy is considered as
one of the fine arts in the Arab world.
Damascus Military Museum:
It temporary occupies a place at Takeih Suleimanieh. It contains pictures and painting representing
the most famous battles through the ages and specimens of various kinds of weapons used at
various periods.
Damascus Agricultural Museum:
It is located in Halbouni quarter, West of Hijaz Railways station. It contains specimens of a main
agricultural products and domestic animals, as well as good collection of agricultural tools used in
Syria throughout the ages. It contains also paintings, pictures and drawings representing rural life
in Syria.
Umayyad Mosque Museum:
It is the newest museum in Damascus. It contains a collection of objects found, by digging or
otherwise, in the Umayyad mosque, as well as of similar objects found elsewhere and related to
Arab Islamic arts. It contains also a valuable collection of old manuscripts of the holy Qura’an .
Popular Traditions & Handicrafts Museum:

Azem Palace:
It stands near the Umayyad Mosque and was the palace of the Ottoman governor Damascus. Its
architecture is remarkable, and constitutes an outstanding example of the traditional damascene
house. It is many rooms, courtyards and covered iwans are adorned with beautiful stone and wood
decorations featuring arabesques and geometric figures, with many fountains, water ways, flower
beds, and trees, etc. the palace harbours at present the popular traditions( folklore) and handicraft
Museum. The various rooms present scenes of traditional social and masterpieces of local
handicrafts in the fields of decoration, glass, textiles, leather, and metal of local handicrafts in the
fields of decoration, glass, textiles leather and metal works.

Takieh Sulaimanieh:
Was constructed by the Ottoman architect Sinan, during the reign of Sultan Sulaiman the
magnificent over the ruins of the place of the great Mamluk sultan Al_Zaher Bibars, which was
known under the name of “Al-Ablak Palace”. It encompasses a huge Tekieh (almhouse), a
medrassa (school), a mosque and a souk (commercial market) handy craft.
It is adorned with numerous domes, two very high and slender minarets and beautiful gardens.

Souk Hamidieh :
It is the most important souk and constitutes a permanent show-case a trade fair.
It goes straight from where stood Bab Al-Nasr ( victory gate) to the entrance of the Umayyad
Mosque. It was constructed by the Ottoman sultan Abdul-hamid though a nearly demolished area
around 1863A.D. it is now a very crowded souk in which well designed shops offer all kinds of
goods, clothes, ready made dresses, traditional dresses, brocades, handicrafts, wood mosaic,
engraved copper wares, jewels, and etc.

Souk Madhat Pasha:
It is parallel to souk Hamidieh and lies over the Roman Street Via Recta. It was constructed by the
Ottoman governor of Damascus, Madhat Pasha, around 1878.
Its many small shops specialize in local textile goods like silk, wool traditional garment, and etc.. it
contains many important khans( caravanserais), and it is end lies ( Maktab Anbar) one of the most
beautiful old Damascus houses which is used now as “ place of cultural”>

Souk AL-Harir ( silk market)
Darwish Pasha, governor of Damascus, constructed it around 1574. it has its entrance at the end of
souk Hamidieh. It contians many shops for textile products, perfums, and etc.

Souk Al-Khayateen ( tailor’s market)
Constructed by Darweesh Pasha, around 1553, it connects with souk AlHarir and specializes in
wool products. Between the two souks lie the mosque and tomp of Nureddin Zenki, which includes
an entrance adorned with beautiful arabesque.

Souk Al-Bzourieh
It lies between souk Madhat Pasha, and Azem palace, and specializes in spices, oriental perfumes,
nuts, sweets and similar goods in its middle stands the famous nuri Bath constructed in the XII h
century. It contains also Khan Assaad Pasha, a beautiful caravanserai from the XIXh century.
Many others souks may be found in this area, such as souk Al-Souf ( the wool market) , souk
Al-koton ( the cotton market ) and souk al_ nahhassin ( the coppersmiths market) . inside the Tkieh
Suliemanieh, a soul has been established for handicrafts and traditional products.

Walls and gates of Damascus:
The first wall surrounding Damascus was built during the Aramean era. It was rebuilt during Roman
era using huge stones; the roman wall remained during the subsequent periods with very slight
modifications. It has seven gates known as Bab Sharki (the east gate), Bab Kisan, Bab Touma (St.
Thomas gate), bab Al_jabieh, Bab Jannik, bab Al_Faradiss (paradise gate) and bab alsaghir (the
small gate). The main street of the roman town, Decumanus, also called Via Recta (the street called
straight), extended from bab al jabieh to bab sharki and had on both sides rows of Corinthian
columns, with arches and statues, the remains of which lie now at a depth of four meters under the
present street called “ souk madhat pasha”. Some of the towers which adorned the surrounding
are still extant, such as “ Nureddin’s Tower” and al-Saleh ayoub’s tower” near bab sharki. Other
gates were opened in the wall during the Muslim era, such as Bab alsalam and Bab alfaraj.

Damascus citadel :
Damascus citadel was part of the city defenses, it was rebuilt and extended by
Seljukides, around 1078A.D as a stronghold for their soldiers. It was surrounded by strong walls,
with man towers, and by a water filled ditch. It contained houses for the soldiers and their families,
public baths, mosques and schools. In 1202 it was reconstructed by Ayoubite king Al-Malek alAdel,
using huge stones. It was stand during the assaults of the Mogols and before them the assaults of
the Crusaders, but it was neglected during the Ottoman period.

Damascus famous because of churches and convents, inside and outside the town. Many of them
still remain, such as, inside town in Bab sharki area, ST. Hanania Church, St. Paul church, Marian
Church, …..etc.

During all ages, its varied markets characterized Damascus. At the present, theses souks
agglomerate around the Umayyad mosque, and feature metal sheet covers with perforations
through which the day sky appears as so much stars.

Seydnaya:
A small town at an altitude of 1600m. above the mean sea level and at 25 km. North east of
Damascus, it has a special spiritual and historical importance. Its convent is believed to have been
guilt by the roman ( Byzantine) emperor Justinian and to harbour a miraculous icons. It is one of
the most popular holy shrines for eastern Christians.
Seydnaya means in Aramaic :our Lady”. A legendary story about a hunting party by Justinian and
the apparition of the Virgin Mary is told to explain the construction of such a huge convent in this
remote place, the convent is constructed on a big rock with steep slopes from all sides . it can be
only reached through newly constructed very long stairs, and entered through a low and narrow
gate, which obliges all visitors to bend down for passage. The view from its top around the country
side is very beautiful . its old rooms, including the one, which contains the miraculous icon, are
excavated in hard rock. It contains numerous other icons as well as a collection of gold and silver
lamps, which light until now with pure olive oil. Many smaller convents and churched maybe found
in the neighboring countryside.

Ma’aloula:
At 60 km north of Damascus and 1500m. above the sea level, it features apocalyptic rock
formations and many convents and churched S. Takla convent is believed to be the oldest still
existing convent in the world. It is partly excavated in hard rock. St. Sarkis convent stands on a hill
above Maaloula, with very beautiful view of the countryside. It features an important collection of
old icons. The populations of Maaloula still speak the old Aramaic ( Syrian) language, which was
spoken by Christ. The neighboring villages of Jaba’din and Bakhaa contain other churches and
convents. The whole area is a true picture of ancient times. As befits a town as old as Damascus.

Al-Sayida Zeinab Shrine:
Daughter of Hussein son of Ali, great grand daughter of the prophet Mohammad, Zeinab is believed
to be buried in this village at 10 km south east of Damascus. The shrine contains the tomb, and
mosque and is characterized by a profusion of bright decorations made of interlaced silver, gold
enamel, and glass…etc. as well as by a great number of chandeliers being votive offerings. As a
whole, the shrine appears like a jewel.

-Zabadani:
at 45 km north- west of Damascus and at 1175m . above the sea level, it is beautiful little
surrounded by green orchards, and famous for it tasty fruits.

- Bloudan:
On the mountain slope above Zabadani, at 55 km from Damascus and at 1500m above sea level,
this high perched village has grown up into a full blown summer resort. It has a pure mountainous
air, beautiful views over the Zabadani valley and pure mountain water from numerous springs.

- Buqqein :
It is on the road to Zabadani and has spring of highly evaluated mineral water, part of which is
being embattled.

- Figeh Spring:
this village lies at the foot of powerful karstic spring ( Figeh spring), which supplies water to the
whole of Damascus. It is located at the bottom of the deep Barada river valley and surrounded by
beautiful orchards.

-Ain Al-Khadra ( Khadra Spring)
Likewise located in the deep Barada valley, it features beautiful gardens and resorts.

-AL-Rabweh:
At the entrance to Damascus from Zabadani road, it lies in deep gorge through which the Barada
River treads a difficult way. It is famous for its beauty and resorts.

On the road following the Barada River from Damascus to Zabadani, there are many other resorts
at Hameh, Bassimeh, Jdaideh, Ashrafieh and so …
All famous for their beautiful orchards at the bottom of the valley while the top is completely barren.

Damascus oasis the GHOUTA, is quite famous. It is the reason why Damascus has been located
where it stands. It surrounds the city from nearly all directions, it is very extensive, and all of it is
covered with fruit orchards in the midst of which many restaurant, parks , and resorts hotel have
been established there.

Near Damascus there are also Tal and Munin resorts at the height of around 1300m above the sea
level, also located a restaurants .

This is Damascus the witness of the oldest civilization in the world.