Damascus

Damascus
Distributed under GNU Free Documentation License,
Damascus is often referred to as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

Damascus has a wealth of historical sites dating back to many different periods of the city's history. Since the city has been built up with every passing occupation, it has become almost impossible to excavate all the ruins of Damascus that lie up to 8 feet below the modern level. The Citadel of Damascus is located in the northwest corner of the Old City. The street called straight (referred to in the conversion of St. Paul in Acts 9:11), also known as the Via Recta, was one of the main streets of Roman Damascus, and extended for over 1500 meters. Today, it consists of the street of Bab Sharqi and the Souk Medhat Pasha, a covered market. The Bab Sharqi street is filled with small shops and leads to the old Christian quarter of Bab Touma (St. Thomas's Gate). Souq Medhat Pasha is also a main market in Damascus and was named after Medhat Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Damascus who renovated the Souq. At the end of the Bab Sharqi street, one reaches the House of Ananias, an underground chapel that was the cellar of Ananias's house.

The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque of Damascus, is one of the largest mosques in the world, and one of the oldest sites of continuous prayer since the rise of Islam. A shrine in the mosque is said to contain the head of John the Baptist.

Year Decision Comments
1979 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

Layla Alash (US):
I am half syrian, every time i visit family i love seeing the old part of the city and my favorite part is visiting al-humadiya, it's amazing, every one should see the wall!!!
Date posted: December 2008
Douglas Scully (USA):
Doug (USA)
I went to Syria in 1997. Syria was a wonderful country to visit. Damascus was the first stop. The Damascus museum has great things to see but isn't up to modern standards. The facade of the entrance is fabulous. The main mosque must be seen for the courtyard and its mosaic facade. The interior is bland and rebuilt after a fire 100 years ago. I walked around the souk and the modern suburbs for hours. Don't miss a visit to the nearby hills to see an overview of the city and see how it is an oasis. Besides being a fascinating place, the people I met were so friendly.
Date posted: April 2006
Willy Kaemena (Germany):
Damascus, Ancient City friendly people, good food, and safe place.
Have a look on my Damascus Site ( still growing every day) it shows the Ancient Damascus in Quicktime Virtual Reality (QTVR) the next best thing as to be there yourself.
Look around 360 degrees and 90/90 degrees up and down. Quicktime player/plugin is required.

http://homepage.mac.com/wkaemena/FSPanos/Menu352.html
Date posted: April 2006
Dania Karkoutli (SYRIA):
I born in Damascus 1995
I am a student at Omar Abdul Aziz School in Damascus
I went with my freinds to Omayad Mosque wich is very very big and we saw the tomp of the profit Yahya "St. Jhon the Pabtist" , then I went with my Family to visit Azem Palace , it is now a museum for traditions .
we had lunch at a very beutiful restaurant, it was a house and converted to a restaurant , we fill our stomaks with a very delicias food.
my father working in the tourism field and he always telling me about the visitors from europe how they are astonished when they enter the Markets and old street.He told me that there is a church in Damascus still underground, many people visited. I wish to visit it one day, I feel very proud that I live in Damascus.
Date posted: March 2006
john wreford (Syria):
I am a London born freelance photographer and have been living in the wonderful city of Damascus for almost two years now.
Without doubt Damascus has a wealth of history, be it Christian, Muslim or a host of other faiths and beleifs but for me the real charm of this once great city is the hospitalty of its people.
What Damascus lacks in other areas is more than made up with its friendliness.
Visit mty web site for a taste of Damascus at www.portfolios.com/wreford
 
Ibrahim Karkoutli (SYRIA):
Damascus is the 2nd home for every one.
freindly people , charming place , holly spot.

You should go there once a life (at least)
 


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