Damascus

Why visit

• Walk a UNESCO-listed old city that is still fully lived in
• See Umayyad-era mosaics and monumental early Islamic architecture
• Experience Damascene food, coffee culture and craft workshops

Overview

Damascus is a city of layers. Within the walls of the Old City, a Roman street grid still guides the way through covered souks, courtyard houses, madrasas and khans. The Umayyad Mosque anchors the historic centre, and around it, everyday life continues in workshops, coffee houses and family homes that have been used for generations.

History

Damascus appears in ancient records as a major settlement of the Levant and later became a Roman provincial city. In 661 CE it became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, and later flourished under Ayyubid, Mamluk and Ottoman rule. The Ancient City of Damascus is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Architecture

Roman colonnaded streets, Umayyad mosaics, Ayyubid fortification, Mamluk stonework and Ottoman courtyard houses coexist within the same square kilometre.

Stories & Legends

Local tradition ties the Street Called Straight to some of the oldest recorded urban routes in the region — a street that has carried travellers for two thousand years.

Visitor tips

• · Start early to walk the souks before the midday heat
• · Carry small cash for markets and craft workshops
• · Ask permission before photographing people

Dress code: Modest clothing is expected at religious sites; head covering for women inside mosques.

Gallery

Map

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