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An Incomparable Role in History
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Syria
is the cradle of the great civilizations , and the accomplishments of
it's her
ancient peoples are renowned throughout the world .
It was here where agriculture began ten thousand years ago , that
settlement commenced and civilization emerged . houses , not caves ,
became man’s dwelling , and he embarked on a journey of self-discovery .
he observed heaven and sang the earliest hymns . He tried his hand at
drawing and sculpture . Evidence of these ancient arts are found all over
Syria , at Mereibet . Jeyroud , Yabroud , and on the river banks .
Syria also presented the world with another discovery . It was here that
copper was made pliable and bronze civilization came into being at Tel
Halaf.
At Mari ( Tel Hariri ), by the Euphrates and elsewhere , there was an
abundance of palaces , temples and murals reflecting advanced cultural and
commercial activity .www.tartoos.com
The kingdom of Ugarit ( Ras Shamra ) offered mankind the first alphabet in
history .At Elba ( Tel Merdikh ) , a royal palace was discovered
containing one of the largest and most comprehensive .
Documentary archives of the ancient world . These specialized in
industrial , diplomatic, commercial and administrative matters , in
addition to war and peace relations with other countries .
The Amorites , the Canaanites and the phoenicians inhabited the coastal
regions , the Arameans were the highlanders , and the Nabateans inhabited
the south .
Successive waves of migrations from the Arab peninsula gave an Arab
identity to Syria , and it managed to withstand the invasions by Hittites,
Persians, Greeks and Romans . The Islamic conquest of 636 A.D . only
confirmed this Arab identity and gave a sense of unity to the land .
The immense strategic importance of Syria is due to her unique position as
a meeting – point of three continents ( Asia , Africa , and Europe ) and
as a crossroad between the Caspian sea , the Indian Ocean , the Black Sea
, and the Nile River . through Syria lay the silk route which led from
China to Doura Europos ( Salhieh ) , from Palmyra and Homs to the Syrian
ports on the Mediterranean , where for thousand of years Syrian seafarers
had ridden the wave in their enormous fleets with gleaming white sails .
This geographical position lent distinction to the country , not only as a
trade and caravan route , but also as a melting-pot of diverse ideas ,
beliefs , talents , and cultures .
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A
journey through Syria is a journey through time . When you enter the old
souks you realize that history is something alive and tangible , something
you can see and touch . you walk down the street called straight ( Midhat
Pasha ) with stretches from Bab al-Jabieh , and you feel that you are
walking beside saul of Tarus when he saw the light of faith , the light on
the Road to Damascus .
The silk weavers with you see in Damascus , Hama and Aleppo still work at
their wooden hand looms just like their ancestors bid in Ebla four
thousand years ago . Glass blowers at their brick furnaces recall their
predecessors who invented coloured glass three thousand years ago . folk
artists still draw pictures of epic heroes almost identical to those
engraved on stone by Doura Europos artists in the year 300 B.C .
Syria is often described as the largest small country in the world because
of its wealth of ancient civilizations . Modern man is indebted to this
land for much of this thought and learning . Indeed it was aptly said that
every intellectual has tow homelands : his own , and Syria .www.tartoos.com
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The continuity of Art in Syria
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Syrian
Icons
How to get to Syria
By land :
Syria is linked with
other countries by a network of international roads through Turkey ,
Lebanon , Jordan , and Iraq . an international railroad links the country
with Turkey and the rest of Europe .
By sea :
Through the tow
seaports of Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterrean .
By air :www.tartoos.com
Syrian Arab Airlines (
the national airline ) and a number of world airlines link Syria the
international airports of Damascus and Aleppo to all parts of the world .
Travelers to Syria can
obtain all other relevant information from Syrian embassies and tourist
bureaus abroad .
Entry and Exit procedures :
Foreigners entering Syria must be in possession of :
1.
A valid passport .
2.
A valid entry visa granted by the
Syrian Embassy or Consulate in the visitor’s country of origin or
residence .
3.
Where there is no
Syrian mission in the passport holder’s country , an entry visa may be
issued by any other Syrian mission abroad , or at the point of entry to
Syria .
4.
groups of tourists of ten or more
are granted a group a group visa gratis ( free of charge ) provided each
member of the group be in possession of valid passport .
5.
visitors planning to spend more
than 15 days in the country are required to apply to the security
authorities for an extension of stay .
6.
Every tourist must pay 100 S.P .
as a departure airport tax .www.tartoos.com
7.
Bills at all hotels are paid
currency .
8.
Passport of
visitors to Syria must not carry an{ Israeli } visa .
9.
Fees charged for entry visas are
subject to the principle of reciprocity with the country concerned .
Visitors are not
required to obtain an exit visa if their stay does not exceed a period of
15 days .
Customs and Excise :
1.
clothes and personal belongings
are not subject to customs duties .
2.
visitors are
allowed the following items free of customs duties although they must be
declared :
-
1 liter of eau de cologne .
-
1 liter of spirits .
-
2 used packs of playing cards .
200 cigarettes , or 50
cigars . or 250 grams of tobacco .
3- The following items
are also exempted from customs duties provided they be used , declared on
entry , and re-exported on leaving the country :
-
1 camera and tow
films .
-
1 cine-camera for
amateur photographers .www.tartoos.com
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1 pair pf
binoculars .
-
1 portable musical
instrument .
1 portable
tape-recorder ; a perambulator : light camping equipment and utensils ;
personal games ; a bicycle ; a hunting rifle licensed by the appropriate
authorities both in the visitor’s country and in Syria ;a small iron ; a
standard medical kit ; make-up ; and traveling rugs and blankets .
Customs officers are
authorized to admit other personal belongings at their discretion .
4- The entry of a motor
car subject to the owner bring in possession of an international driving
licence , an international car certificate , and a triptick . The car can
be used in Syria for total period of 180 days .
However , visitors can
obtain more detailed and up-to-date information from periodical circulars
available at Syria embassies and consulates or at Syria’s international
borders .
More than 400 hotels
provide a considerable choice with regard to costs . There are
international Hotels in Damascus ( Sheraton , Meridien , al – Cham , Ebla
) .
Latakia ( Meridien )
Palmyra ( al-cham ) .
Aleppo ( Shahba al –
Cham ) , and in Deir al- Zor ( furat al – Sham ) .www.tartoos.com
Several youth hostels
and student dormitories are available during the summer season in Damascus
, Aleppo , and Latakia .
Camping sites are also
available on the outskirts of some cities and a summer resorts .
In the coastal region
there are numerous camping sites with full facilities , as hundreds of
chalets of various categories and prices .
Food :
Visitors to Syria will
always find something to their liking . Syria cuisine is well – known for
its variety . Western cuisine is also available at hotels and restaurants
throughout the country .
Drinking water in Syria
is perfectly safe ,clean and hygienic . It is derived from natural ground
and mountain springs and sources and is treated with the most advanced
techniques . Most notable is the is the Ein al-Fijeh source with supplies
the city of Damascus with its drinking-water . Other mineral water source
are renowned for their purity . Among these are the Boukein and Dreikish
spring water source s available in bottles throughout the country .
Other Essential Information
:
1.
there are no
endemic or communicable diseases in Syria .
2.
Urban crime with
plagues most cities is virtually non-existent Syria .
3.
Electric power :
220 volt \50 cycles .
4.
Office hours :
between 8 a.m and 2.00 p.m .
Shops are open all day
until 7 p.m . in winter and 8 p.m . in summer : some shops close a few
hours in the afternoon .
The basic unit of Syria
currency is the piastre : it is 1\100th of the lira on which
the money system is based . Banknote denominations are as follows ( in
liras ) : 1 ; 5 ; 10 ; 25 ; 50 ; 100 ; and 500
Coins include ( in
piastres ) :
5 ; 10 ; 25 ; 50 ; and
100
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Weights
and measures in Syria follow the Metric system .
Transport
and travel : inter-city travel in modern air – conditioned coaches is
organized by toe major companies ( Karnak and transtour ) .Service taxi
and trains run regularly between cities , and there are internal flight by
Syrianair between Damascus – Aleppo – Latakia – Qamishli – and Deir al Zor
.
In – town
transport is made easy by taxi cabs in Damascus charge fares indicated by
meters ; in other cities fares are set by government departments .
Direct
telephone services : are available between Syria cities and the rest of
the world . Visitors can readily obtain information on internal and
international calls hotels or from the Telephone service .
Telex and telegram
services are also available in all parts of the country .
Climate
: Syria has a moderate Mediterranean climate , four distinct seasons ,
and cloudless blue skies for the great part of the year . Temperature in
autumn and spring rang between 20 and 25 degrees centigrade , 30 degrees
in summer , and 5 to 15 degrees in winter .
Winter is
generally moderate but wet in the coastal region and cold inland ; summer
is hot and dry inland ,hot and humid on the coast .
Winter clothing is
recommended between October and May , and summer clothing between May and
September .
A considerable number
of Syrians speak English or French . Those who speak only Arabic are
helpful and hospitable to foreigners .
Shopping
in Syria is an endless pleasure . Tourists enjoy buying local products
unique for their distinctive originality . favourite items with visitors
are :
- Silk brocade
embroidered with gold and silver thread , for which Damascus has always
been famous .
- Hand-engraved brass
with silver inlays of different patterns and designs .
- Popular hand-printed
cotton garments and cloth , and the sarma gold embroidey for which Hama is
renowned .
- Pictures of epic folk
painted on glass or cloth .
- Mosaics inlaid with
mother-of-pearl and tinted wood .www.tartoos.com
- Hand-women rugs made
of pure wool .
- Glass mad as
you-wait-and-watch ; this the work of glass blowers using mud furnaces
where liquid glass is turned into pretty beakers , plates , and lamps .
Delicious sweets filled
with pistachios . preserved fruit , and Turkish Delight.
Religious
services are held in mosque , churches , and other places of worship
throughout the country .
Visitors are expected
to respected the sanctity of these places with regard to dress and conduct
as they would do elsewhere .
There are clean sand
beaches stretching all along the coast , and swimming pools are plentiful
in all cities ; in sports compounds , large hotels, and the suburbs .
Artistic
and cultural events abound throughout the year . Exhibitions , lectures ,
and seminars are held at universities , museums , and cultural centers .
painting and sculpture by local and foreign artist are exhibited in
private galleries throughout the country .
A number of art
festivals and trade fairs take place regularly every year .
Radio and television :
Programmes on radio are mainly in Arabic but there are foreign programmes
. As for television , there are tow channels : one in Arabic and the other
in English and French – In addition to the Arabic presse , there is local
daily in English .
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Until the
end of world War 1 , geographical Syria included present –day Syria ,
Jordan , Palestine .Present-day Syria , however , coves some 185.000 sq.
km . with a population of 12.000.000 people ( 1986 estimate ) . Its
neighbours are Turkey to the north , Jordan and Palestine to the south ,
Lebanon to the west , and Iraq to the east .
It also
has a Mediterranean coastline to the west . It is triangular in shape east
of the Mediterranean ,and extends between latitudes 32 to 37 north and
longitudes 25 to 42 east of Greenwich .
Syria
can be divided into five distinct touristic regions with varying features
and terrain .
In the
west there is a coast line 175 km long , and mountains divided into tow
ranges standing opposite each other .
The
eastern rang , stretching along the Syria – Lebanon border and called
Eastern Mount Lebanon , wherein Mount Hermon constitutes the highest peak
rising to some 2814 meters and covered with snow all year .
The
Western range , called Mount Lebanon , extends to the northern part of
Syrian coastline where it is know as the Latakia Mountain , and is
covered with thickets and forests .
The
Orontes river flows between these tow ranges and creates a fertile valley
extending north to Homs , Hama ,and the Aleppo plains .www.tartoos.com
The
central part of Syria is covered by what is know as the Al-Sham desert ,
where plains and pasture lands lend an unusual charm to a vast terrain of
sand and roc . In the middle of this lies the famous oasis of palmyra .
North
of the desert there is a huge fertile basin formed by the Euphrates River
, whose source is in Turkish territory . It crosses Syria diagonally in
the north-east to exit into Iraq territory , having been fed by tow
tributaries in Syria , namely the Khabur and Balikh rivers . On the Syrian
part of the river rises a great dam which forms the 80 km – long al –
Assad Lake .
In this
part of the basin there are several mountains , and some newly-discovered
oil-fields .
- In
this south –west the Ghuta forms a green belt of orchards and farms which
surround the capital , Damascus , full of fruit trees . Through this
region runs the river Barada , which the Romans called “ The Golden River
‘’ Its spring is in Zabadani , a summer resort near Damascus . The river
flows through miles of meadows and orchards , then branches into seven
small rivers before reaching Damascus .
- In
the south , Jabal al-Arab forms the greater part of the region with its
hills , volcanic rocks , historic cities , and rich vineyards . the vast
plain of Houran and the Golan Heights form the remainder of this region ,
and have long been the most fertile part of it along the borders with
Lebanon and Palastine .
A land of diversity:
Ancient irrigation canals and modern dams , the plough and the tractor ,
wooden norias in perpetual motion and the latest spraying devices are to
be found side by side giving life to the dry and thirty land .The costumes
of country people are no less colourful and divers than the lands they
cultivate .The individual character of each village is reflected in the
architecture of its houses , and in the dress of its inhabitants .The art
festival held at Palmyra and Bosar every year show how the symmetry of the
ancient columns and arches blends with the music from all over the world
. www.tartoos.com
Traveling in Syria
:
one can see several civilizations within an hour . for
example, when browsing in the Damascus souq near the Omayyad Mosque .
The mosque is an impressive Islamic construction erected on
the remains of an ancient Aramaic temple . Just outside it there is an
enormous Roman arch on huge columns , and close by are Byzantine
engravings surrounded by Ottoman , Ayoubite and Mamluk domes .
As you leave urban areas behind to wander about the
countryside with its mountains , hills , valleys and plains , you will
find an endless variety of colour and scenery .
An hour’s driver will take from fields wheat and cotton to
vineyards and olive trees , to pomegranate and palm-tree oases , to daisy
and oleander meadows .
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On the sea-shore to the north you can watch the
Mediterranean’s white waves , while in the golden desert you will see a
deluge of wild flowers in spring .
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Syria is divided
into 14 provinces , each one with a main city as its center .
These provinces
can be divided into 3 areas :
The
south provinces : the city of
Damascus , the Damascus province , Sweida , Dar’a, and Quneitra .
The Mid-Wstern
provinces :
Homs , Hama , Tartus , Latakia , and Idleb .
The North-Eastern
provinces : Aleppo , Raqqa ,
Deia al Zor , and al-hasakh .
SOUTHERN PROVINCES
THE
CITY OF DAMASCUS THE DAMASCUS PROVINCE
SWEIDA
DARA’A
QUNEITRA
Damascus is the oldest
continuously ihabited city in the world . It has occupied of importance in
the fields of science , culture , politics , art , commerce , and industry
from the earliest times . It has been called ‘’ al-Fayha ‘’ ( the fragrant
city ) , al-Sham, Jollaq , and ‘’ Pearl of the Orient ‘’ as the Emperor
Julian named it . It was mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as the many-columned
city of Arma , whose like has never been built in the land .
Early references to the city
, such as those in the Ebla tablets , confirm that ‘ Dameski ‘ ( Damascus
) during the third millennium B.C was as a city of immense economic
influence .
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Ancient pharaonic scripts refer to it as ‘
Damaska’ . It enjoyed great prominence during the second millennium B.C as
the center of an Aramaic kingdom under the name of ‘ Dar-misiq ‘ ( the
irrigated house ) . The Aramites were the original inhabitants of Damascus
, and their language was Syriac . Many villages around Damascus are still
known by their Aramic names .Damascus
full under the domination of the Greeks , the Romans , and the Byzantines
. They all left their mark on the city as visitors can still readily
observe today . In the Roman
era , Damascus was first among the ten most prominent cities . It received
many privileges , especially during the reign of the Syrian dynasty of
Roman emperors . It was from Damascus that the most talented architect of
the Roman Empire came . This was Apolodor the Damascene , who designed the
celebrated Trajan Column in Rome , and the great bridge on the river
Danube . Part of the heritage of this era are the remains of the city-plan
which Apolodor designed in oblong shape according with Roman architectural
style . There is also part of the Roman temple of Jupiter , which was
erected on the site of an older Aramic temple ( Hadad ) where the Omayyad
Mosque stands today . this part of the temple is distinguished by its huge
Corinthian columns with their richly decorated capitals .
In the Byzantine
era , a great number of churches and monasteries were built , and most of
them have survived to the present .
Damascus became
the capital of the first Arabe state at the time of the Omayyad in 661 A
.D . this marked the beginning of its golden epoch , and for a whole
century it was the center of the youthful Islamic Empire . This reached
its peak of expansion during this period , and came to stretch from the
shores of the Atlantic and the Pyrennese in the West , to the river Indus
and China in the east . The Omayyad took a genuine interest in building up
the city , organizing its souqs and districts , improving its water supply
and erecting palaces and hospitals in various parts of it .
Following the
decline and fall of the Omayyad , Damascus went through a period of
neglect and deterioration . It suffered disaster and destruction , seeing
only temporay prosperity , depending on whose domination it was subjected
to .
However , when
Independence was achieved in 1946 , the city started to regain its
importance as a significant cultural and political center in the Arab
world . When president Hafez al-Assad became leader of the country in 1970
, an immense process of modernization started in the fields of
construction and development . As has Syria , Damascus has now recovered
its status at the heart of Arab and international affairs .
Visiting Damascus
www.tartoos.com
It is impossible
to enumerate all the place of interest in Damascus . The city is a living
museum spanning thousands of years . one can only review the most
important landmarks in the old part ( within city-walls ) and the new part
( outside city –walls ) of the city .
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Landmarks of Old Damascus
1.
The
Wall and Gates :
The wall was
built in the Roman era with large , tapered stones . It was oblong is
shape , designed in the manner of Roman military camps , cities , and
fortifications . There are seven gates in it : Bab Sharqi , Bab al-Jabieh
, Bab al-saghir , Bab keissan , Bab tuma , Bab al-jeniq , and Bab
al-faradiss . The main thoroughfare traversed the city from Bab al-Jabieh
to Bab Sharqi ; on both sides there were Corinthian columns , and across
it numerous triumphal arches . But this thoroughfare has been submerged
over the years to about six metres underground , and has been superseded
by Souq al– tawil or Midhat Basha, under which are occasionally
discovered some Roman columns , especially when road works are in progress
.
One such
discovery was made in 1950 when a triumphal arch was found at Bab Sharqi ,
brought up to street level , and re-erected after its restoration was
completed .
At time of the
Islamic conquest in 635 A.D . the wall was still solid and impregnable ,
so the tow Muslim leaders Khaled ibn al-walid and abu Obeida ibn al-Jarrah
entered the city through Bab Sharqi and Bab al-Jabieh respectively.
Thus the Wall
was preserved , and remained intact throughout the Omayyad era . But when
the Abassids stormed Damascus in 750 A.D . they destroyed large parts of
it . It began to deteriorate over the years so much , so that it became
oval in shape . But it was partly restored and reinforced at the time of
the Nourites and Ayoubites , in order to withstand the attacks of the
Crusaders . During Ottoman rule , however , it was neglected altogether ,
and some masonary was removed for use in other building ; later on ,
numerous houses were built upon the greater expanse of it .www.tartoos.com
The only part of
historic significance still standing in its original form is 500-meters
long , and stretches from Bab al-salaam to Bab Tuma . Most of thr gates
are still there , although much altered by additions and engravings done
over the years . Other gates were made during the Islamic era , such as
Bab al-Salaam and Bab al-Faraj which were built by Nureddin . Bab Keissan
and Bab al-Jeniq were blocked up ; and Bab al-Nasr , which had stood next
al-Qal;a ( the castle ) was removed when souq al-Hamidiyeh was built in
1863 . The remaining towers on the Wall are : The Nureddin Tower to the
south ao Bab Tuma , and al-saleh Ayoub Tower to the east .
2.
The Omayyad Mosque
This great
Mosque stands at the heart of the Old City at the end of Souq al-Hamidiyeh
. It was built by the Omayyad Caliph al-Walid ibn Abdul Malek in 705 A.D .
when Damascus was the capital of the Arab Islamic Empire .
It was
constructed on the site of what has always been a place of workship :
first , a temple for Hadad , the Aramena god of the ancient Syrians three
thousand years ago ; a pagan temple ( the temple of Jupiter the Damascene
) during the Roman era . It was later turned into a church called John the
Bapist when Christianity spread in the fourth century . Following the
Islamic conquest in 635 , Muslims and Christians agreed to perform their
rituals side by side .
When al-walid
decided to erect an impressive mosque suited to the grandeur of the Arab
state whose like was never built before , nor will ever be built after’as
he is reported to have said , he negotiated with the Christian community
of Damascus , and undertook to construct a new church for them ( St.
John’s ) and allot several pieces of land of other churches , if they
relinquished their right to their part of the mosque . they agreed . It
took ten years and eleven million gold dinars , as well as a huge
number-layers , and painters to complete . It became an architectural
model for hundreds of mosque throughout the Islamic world .
A prominent
feature of it are the three minarets built in different styles ; the upper
parts of which were renovated during the Ayoubite , Mamluk , and Ottoman
eras . The mosque has a large prayer hall and an enormous courtyard . The
interior Walls are covered with with mosaic panels , made of coloured and
gilded glass , portraying scenes from nature . The dome is grayish-blue ,
celebrated for its magnificence . The prayer hall contains a domed shrine
venerated by both Christian and Muslims , the tomb of St. John the Bapist
.www.tartoos.com
3.
The
Azem Palace
This also stands
at the heart of the Old City , on the southern side of the Omayyad Mosque
, and very close to it . It is an astonishing example of a Damascus house
, where the simple , almost primitive , exterior contrasts rather sharply
with the beauty and sophistication of the interior . Here one finds a
sense of space , a wealth of polychrome stone , splendid marble ,
cascading fountains , and fragrant flowers .
The place was
built in the mid-eighteenth century for the Governor of Damascus . The
place now houses the Museum of Arts and popular Traditions .
4.
The
Damascus Citadel
The only
fortress in Syria built on the same level as the city . , it does not top
a hill or a mountain like all other castles and citadels . It was erected
by the Seljuks in 1078 A.D > with masonry taken from the city wall , and
turned into a heavily-fortified citadel surrounded by walls , towers , a
moat and trenches .
Inside , they
built houses , bath , mosque , and schools ; it was a city within a city .
At the height of Crusader raids and attacks , it was used as residence for
the sultans of Egypt and Syria such as Nureddin , Saladin , and al-Malek
al-Adel , whence they supervised military operations against the Crusaders
. But al-Malek al-Adel soon found that it was no longer adequate for
defence against contemporary weapons and siege tactic , so he decided in
1202 to demolish and re-build it . The outcome was an impressive modern
citadel , incorporating the latest inventions in the martial arts . It
had imposing walls and a dozen colossal turrets surrounding it ; there
were three-hundred arrow silts and enormous parapets all round .
In the
mid-thirteenth century , however , it was the principal target for Tatar
and Mangol attacks , and was later neglected by the Ottomans . The moast
and trenches around it were filled up , and the souqs of Hamidiyeh ,
Asrounieh , and al-Khuja were built thereon . Recently walls of the
fortress came into full view . Extensive repair and restoration work is
underway at the moment ; when completed the citadel will become a war
museum , and a center for various cultural activities .www.tartoos.com
5.
The Souqs
The old covered
souqs of Damascus have a unique flavour you can savour with eyes closed .
As you walk about in the warm darkness of these streets with their
fragrant scents , spices , and colourful merchandise spilling out of the
shops onto the pavements , you enter the strange world of exotic legends .
Most prominent of these souqs are :
Souq al-Hamidiyeh
Follows a
straight line from the west ( where Bab al-nasr used to be ) to the
Omayyad Mosque . It dates back to 1863 , to the rule of the Ottoman Sultan
Abdul-Hamid , after whom the souq was called . It is coverd with high iron
the darkness of the souq . The shops here sell everything from tissues to
leather-work , from sweets and ice-cream to exquisite handmade brocades ,
mosaic , and copper inlaid with silver
www.tartoos.com
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Souq Midhat
Pasha
( The long souq
) : founded by the governor of Damascus Midhat Pasha in 1878 . It stands
above the roman ‘ street called Straight ‘ which used to traverse the city
from Bab al-Jabieh to Bab Sharqi , and runs parallel to souq al-Hamidiyeh
, with numerous side-souqs separating them .
On both sides
of the souq the shops are filled with local textiles , silk cloth , woolen
cloaks , headbands and skull caps ; there are also ancient khans ( inns )
whose entrances and archways house an endless number of other smaller
shops . one half of this Souq ( the part closer to Bab Sharqi ) is
uncovered , and is well-know for its coppersmiths , engraved copper
products , and silver inlaid utensils.
Some
archeologists say this is the location where Damascus first came into
being thousands of years ago . In one of the side streets in this part ,
Maktab;Anbar is situated . This is the most exquisite of Damascus houses
built in the nineteenth century . In 1887 it was turned into a secondary
school , and continued functioning throughout the Ottoman and French
periods . It was repaired and and restored recently to become a cultural
center . It contains some of the most striking tinted glass windows ,
spacious patios , ornamented halls and painted ceilings .
At the end of
this souq , just befor Bab Sharqi , there are several beautiful churchres
, such as the Hananiya Church , which dates back to the Byzantine era ,
and the N’assan House , which represents a typical old Damascus house .
Souq al-Harir
Founded by
Darwish Pasha in 1574 . Its entrance is at the end of souq al-Hamidiyyeh
just outside the Omayyad Mosque . Its shops are filled with local
embroidered cloths , perfume essence , and tailoring and sewing requisites
. Here , too , a number of old khans have been converted into shops , best
known for their cloaks , capes , mantles , shawls , and ‘ galabiyas ‘ Most
interesting of these clusters of little shops is an old bath called
al-Qishani .www.tartoos.com
Souq al-Harir
leads to yet another souq called al-Khayatin ( tailors ) which was Shamsi
Pasha in 1553 ; a multitude of shops here sell woolens and material for
men’s clothing . Hundreds of celebrated tailors of traditional wear used
to work here in the past . Between these tow souqs stands the mosque and
tomb of the Muslim leader Nureddin ibn Zenki . The mosque was erected in
1173 , and is distinguished by a dome of unequalled beauty , and interior
and exterior designs of unique originality .
Also between the
tow souqs stands Madrassat ( school ) Abdallah al-Azem , constructed in
1779 , during the Ottoman period , which has been converted into a cluster
of small shops for traditional crafts
Souq al Bzourieh
Extends between
souq Midhat Pasha and the Omayyad Mosque and is famous for its quaint
little fruit , medicinal herbs , and confectionery .
In the middle of
this souq stands a bath ( one of the tow hundred public baths ) which has
been in continuous use from the twelfth century . Here , too is the
celebrated khan of As’ad Pash built by the owner of al-Azem Palace in the
mid-nineteenth century ; it is now being converted into a hotel .
Another little
souq branches out of al-Bzourieh ; this is the Goldsmiths’Market , where
an endless vatiety of hand-made jewellery is sold ; the southern entranace
to the Omayyad Mosque overlooks this glittering little souq .
Bimaristan al-Noury
To the south of
souq al-Hamidiyeh , this was built by Nureddin in the twelfth century as a
hospital , and financed by ransom money to the amount of 300,000 dinars
paid by a Crusader king held captive . During the Ottoman period it was
converted into a school for girls , and it now houses the Museum of Arab
Medicine and Science . It contains the most exquisite examples of
decorative inscriptions used for the first time during Nureddin’s reign to
replace the traditional kufi inscriptions .www.tartoos.com
Saladin’s Tomb and its
Neighbouring Schools :
The tomb is next
door to the north gate of the Omayyad Mosque . It was originally part of
al-Azizieh School built by Uthman , saladin’s son , in the twelfth century
. The whole interior is decorated with polychrome marble mosaics .
Next to the tomb
stands a typical Mamluk edifice , the Jumaqjieh School , built in the
twelfth century . The interior is decorated with inscriptions and
beautiful lettering . It is one of the most splendid old school is
Damascus ; and has recently been turned into a museum of Arabic
Calligraphy .
Tow other
schools nearby : al-Zhahiriya , which is Ayoubite edifice and houses the
famous library of that name ; and al-Adliya , which is also Ayoubite in
style , and is now headquarters of the Arab Language Academy .
St.
Paul’s Church
Is situated
behind Bab Keissan , one of the gates in the old wall encircling Damascus
.
It commemorates
the memory of St. Paul , whose name was Saul of Tarsus , charged by the
Romans to persecute the Christian . As he approached the village of Daray
, a burst of blinding light took his sight away , and he heard Jesus
Christ ash him ‘ Saul , why do you persecute me ? ‘’ This was a vision of
faith . He was taken unconscious to Damascus , attended by Hananiya ,
Christ’s disciple , and became one of the staunchest advocates of
Christianity . His Jewish peers decided to kill him , but he hid in a
house by the city wall , and at night was lowered by his disciples in a
huge basket from a slit in he wall . He travelled to Antioch , Athen , and
Rom , after a brief stay in Jerusalem , and continued to teach the gospel
until died .www.tartoos.com
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Landmarks of the New City
Ever since the
eleventh century , when the old city was already too small for its
inhabitants and their houses , the city started to expand beyond its walls
. In the Nuri and Ayoubite periods new suburbs emerged ; theu were
separate and independent of the city proper , but they , in turn ,
continued to grow at such a rate during the Mamluk period that they joined
the wall , and the old city became indistinguishable from the new . Most
notable among the suburbs was al-Salhieh at the foot of Jabal Qassiun ,
al-Uqiba , al-Midan , and al-Mazzeh . Mamluk princes and sultans also
erected numerous school and mosque beyond the old city walls . During the
Ottoman period four new edifices were constructed , namely : Sheikh
Muhieddin , al-Takieh al-Suleimaniyeh , al-Darwishieh , and al-Sinanieh .
In the nineteenth century , new roads were built across the city along
with new residential eras . European architectural styles started to
appear . Most important among the buildings of this period are :
al-Hamidiyeh Barracks , al-Saraya ( now housing the ministry of the
interior ) , al-Muhajirin palace ( the presidential Palace ) , the
national hospital , and the law school ( now being renovated to
accommodate the Ministry of tourism ) . Construction of new roads ,
bridges , hospitals , public parks , hotels , government offices , and new
residential suburbs began after Independence and is still going strong
today .
Places of
interest to the visitor are :
1-
The
National Museum :
the national
museum of Damascus is generally recognized as one of the finest of its
kind in the world . Visitors can see artifacts of the great civilization
that emerged and flourished in Syria . There are thousands of statues ,
stamps , pieces of jewellery , weapons , precious stones ; sculpture ,
masks , tablets , textiles , mosaics , glass-work and earthenware , coins
, and manuscripts from the ancient Syrian kingdoms of Ebla , Ugarit ,
Palmyra , Tel Sukas , Mari , Doura , Europos , Bosra , Shahba and others
. the main Oriental Antiquities : ( the ugarit alphabet , gold, silver ,
and ivory statues , stamps , antiquities of the coastal and interior
regions , the civilization of Mary . The statue of Ornina , ivory picture
panels , jewellery , gold masks , and various
weapons ) .www.tartoos.com
Classical ,
Greek and Roman Antiquities : ( the Palmyra civilization , Doura Europos ,
mosaics , the Byzantine period, and basalt sculpture ) .
The Arab
–Islamic Section : ( the façade of Qasr al-Hir al-Gharbi , glass-work ,
ceramics , weapons , astrolabes , earthenware , coins , and manuscripts )
.
Modern Arts
Section : ( Work of contemporary Syria artists since the 30’s , painting
and sculpture ) .
2-
Al-Takieh al-Suleimaniyeh :
A remarkable
example of Ottoman architecture ; it was built by order of Sultan Sulriman
al-Qanouni ( hence the name ) in 1554 . It was erected on the site of the
famous palace of Zhaher Bybars , and designed by the celebrated architect
Sinan . Most striking are its tow elegant minarets . It is divided into
tow parts : the great Takieh which consists of a mosque and a school , and
the minor takieh with a prayer hall and a large patio surrounded by
archways , arcades and rooms , now housing the handicraft market .
3- The City of Damascus Historical Museum :
An
eighteenth-century building , which , like al-Azem Palace , is considered
a fine example of old Damascene houses . It contains historical documents
relating to the inhabitants of the city of Damascus
4-
Al-Salhieh :
situated
at the foot of Mount Qassiun which overlooks Damascus . Building in this
area started in the eleventh century to accommodate refugees arriving from
Jerusalem following the Crusader occupation of the city . Here you find
numerous old schools and hospitals , as well as mosque and the shrines of
prominent Muslim thinkers and Sufi leaders such as Muhieddin Ibn Arabi and
Abd al-Ghni al-Nabulsi . In the Muhieddin district , a colossal wooden
noria was erected in the thirteenth century , based on a design made by
al-Jazri , the leading mechanic of this time . It lifted water from the
river Yazid to a height of 12 meters to supply al-Qaimarieh Hospital at
al-Salhieh . It is the only one remaining of a great many norias that were
scattered all over the district . There is an alley called the Noria Alley
.
www.tartoos.com
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Damascus
COUNTRY AND ENVIRONS
Places
of interest of the visitors :
Ma’
lula
This famous
village is some 56 kilometres from Damascus , and is situated at an
altitude of more than 1500 meters . Its little houses cling to the face of
an enormous rock ; they look suspended in mid-air . There are tow
monasteries here : Saint Sergius and Saint Taqla’s . The inhabitants still
speak Aramic , the language spoken by Christ . Tow neighbouring villages ,
Jaba;din and Naj;a also speak the same language . The word Ma’lula means ‘
entrance ‘ in Aramic.
Seydnaya
Some 30
kilometrs from Damascus , the village is spread out over a hilltop , and
is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves . It has famous monastery
founded in 547 , dedicated to the Blessed Virgin . The name of the village
itself , ‘’ Seyda Naya ‘’ in Syriac means ‘’ Our lady ‘’.
The monastery
contains a portrait of the virgin believed to have been painted by St.
Luke .www.tartoos.com
Shrine
of Saida Zeinab
Located some 10
kilometres to the south of Damascus . The interior is covered with
decorations in silver and gold , ornate window and lavish chandeliers .
The shrine attracts hundreds of pilgrims daily from various countries ,
who come to pay tribute to the Prophet’s grand-daughter , the daughter of
the Imam Ali ibn Taleb .
Summer Resorts and Recreation
Spots :
Zabadani
A
summer resort some 45 kilometres north Damascus , 1175 metres above
sea-level . It overlooks the plain of Zabadani , a fertile land with
thousands of fruit trees bearing delicious apples , cherries , plums ,
peaches , and pears . The source of the river Barada is in this plain and
it supplies Damascus with water , and irrigates the Ghuta around the city
. The source of the river forms a little lake which is surrounded by cafes
, restaurants , and play-grounds .
Attracted by its
fresh air and beautiful scenery Damascenes rush to this resort on hot
summer days . The area has many hotels and restaurants , cafes and camping
sites situated near the banks of the river .
Many Damascus ,
however , prefer another nearby resort , Bludan , which spreads over the
mountain overlooking Zabadani , at 1500 metres above sea-level . It is
cooler here and the scenery is particularly impressive , especially at
sunset . Here , too, plenty of hotels , restaurants and cafes cater to the
needs of all visitors . Most notable among them is the Grand Hotel , with
its spacious terrace that overlooks the entire Zabadani plain .
Also on the
hill-top between Zabadani and Bludan , lies the village of Buqein with its
famous mineral-spring gushing out of the hillside . It is customary for
visitprs to stop here and sample this fresh water . This is now bottled
and sold in hotels , restaurants and shops throughout the Middle East .www.tartoos.com
Recreation spots
near Damascus are numerous and varied . In the Western Ghuta on the banks
of the river Barada , you will find hundreds of them concealed under the
shade of poplar and willow trees .
The main
resting-spots in this vally are : Ein al-Fijeh , Ein al-Khadra , Basseemeh
, al-Ashrafieh , al-Hameh , and al-Rabweh . The eastern Ghuta , where the
International Airport is located , is also a most attractive part of the
Damamscus environs . It is full of fruit orchards with apricot , peach ,
apple , and pear trees .
Also a little to
the north of Damascus there are tow interesting villages , al-Tel Mnein (
1300 meters above sea level ) , well-known their clear spring and pretty
cafes .
The village of
Erneh is some 52 kilometres from Damascus , suspended at 1400 meters above
sea-level on the slopes of Mount Hermon . It has over 300 springs that
converge to create al-A’waj River , and it is well-known for its delicious
strawberries , cherries , apples and peaches .
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IMPORTANT
SITES IN
SOUTHERN PROVINCES
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Bosra
( Dora'a province )
Situated in the vast Hawran plain . some 145 kilometres south of Damascus
. It is an extremely ancient city mentioned in the lists of Tutmose III
and Akhenaten in the fourteenth century B.C . The first Nabatean city in
the second century B.C , It bore the name Buhora , but during the
Hellenistic period . it was known by the name of Bustra . Later the Romans
took an active interest in the city , and at the time of the Emperor
Trajan it was made the province of Arabia ( in 106 B.C ) and was called
Neatrajana Bustra . the city saw its greatest period of prosperity and
expansion then , became a crossroads on the caravan routes and the
official seat and residence of the Imperial Legate . After the decline of
the Roman Empire , Bosra played a significant role in the history of early
Christianity . It was also linked to the rise of Islam , when a Nestorian
monk called Bahira , who lived in the city , met the young Muhammad when
his caravan stopped at bosra , and predicated his prophetic his prophetic
vocation and the faith he was going to initiate .
The oldest
Islamic square minarets ( still standing ) are found in Bosra , whose
prosperous role as an important halt for pilgrims on the way to Mecca
lasted until the 17 th century .www.tartoos.com
The most
interesting part of the city today is the famous Roman theatre built in
the second century A.D . which seats 15 thousand spectators , and is
considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved of Roman
amphitheatres in the world . The stage is 45 meters long and 8 meters deep
. Every summer , it hosts Arab and international performers who entertain
audiences during the Bosra Art Festival against a majestic background of
Roman columns and arches .
The city
itself contains a great number of Roman ruins , a part of the Byzantine
Bahira Church , as well as the al-Mabrak Mosque , which is said to have
been erected on the site where the Prophet's camel stopped to rest . There
is also the Omar Mosque ( also called the al-Arouss Mosque ) , which is
the only one of its type remaining from the early days of Islam , and it
retains its th century primitive form .
An important
Muslim citadel , dating back to the Ayoubite and Mamluk period still
stands , and one of its towers now houses a museum of Antiquities and
Traditional Arts .
- In addition
, the city also has :
Remains of walls ( Nabatean ) ;-
Bath ( Roman , 2nd century ) ;-
-
al-Birkeh ( a hug pool : 155 by 122 meters)
- ( Nabateau
) ;
- A Nabatean
temple dating back to the first century ;
- A Cathedral
( Byzantine , 4 th century ) ;
Shahba ( Sweida province
)
In the Jabal al-Arab region 90 kilometers south-east of Damascus . Shahba
stands in an oasis of orchards and vineyards . Renowned as the birthplace
of the Syria Emperor Phillip who ruled the Roman Empire between 244 and
249 A.D to honour him , the city bore the name Phillipopolis during the
Roman period . He took a personal interest in the city , planned it after
the Roman style , built numerous palaces and temples in it , erected
triumphal arches and public baths , a theatre and a great wall surrounding
it . He is said to have wanted to turn Shahba into a replica of Roman
itself .www.tartoos.com
Visitors to the Shahba museum can see the immense mosaic panels
representing ancient Greek myths ; the god of wine and fertility Dionysus
, the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite , and the legendary poet and
musician Orpheus . Another collection of Shahba's mosaic panels is in the
National Museum in Damascus .
Remains of the city temple ( Philipon ) , some public baths , parts of the
old wall and its four gates , as well as the tow intersecting
thoroughfares and the Roman canal can still be seen in the town .
Salkhad ( Sweida
Province )
Some 38 kilometers south of Sweida and 20 km east of Bosra . Here you find
:
Remains of a citadel built by the Nabateans on a volcanic hill ; it was
renovated by the Ayoubites and Mamluks who added watch-towers to the
original building .
- The minaret of an Ayoubite mosque in the town square .
- An Ayoubite tomb with stones inscribed with Arabic lettering .www.tartoos.com
Tel Shehba ( Dora'a
province )
Famous for its water-falls which flow into wadi Khalid , and the remains
of its ancient wall .
Qanawat ( Sweiad
Province )
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