Ancient City of Damascus

Merchants and craftsmen have sold their wares outside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus for
hundreds of years.
Photograph by Christopher Herwig, Aurora
Site: Ancient City of Damascus
Location: Syrian Arab Republic
Year Designated: 1979
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)

Reason for Designation: The ancient site preserves the architecture, art, and ambience of what may
be the worlds oldest city.
***
Even in a land as ancient as the Middle East the city of Damascus stands out. Founded in the third
millennium B.C., Damascus vies forand just might ownthe title of the worlds oldest
continuously inhabited city.
The city has changed hands countless times over the centuries. Assyrians, Persians, Greeks,
Nabataeans, Romans, the Umayyad caliphate, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, Ottomans, French and many
others all once held sway here. Each group left echoes behind that became part of the citys rich
tapestrythen vanished. The city itself, though, thrived as it does today at the heart of an
independent Syria.
Damascus rich history is alive in the historic quarter, where narrow lanes wander through warrens
of ancient buildings, pass lively markets, and reveal historic sitesall surrounded by remnants of
venerable walls and legendary gates.
The Umayyad Mosque is Islams earliest great mosque and ranks in holiness below those of Mecca
and Medina. As befits Damascus, the mosque site was once home to temple of Syrias ancient
Aramaean people, then to a Roman temple honoring Jupiter (part of the facade remains adjacent to
the mosque) and a Christian church in the era of Constantine. The Arab conquest of Damascus
eventually precipitated construction of the mosque, which dates to the early eighth century. A shrine
reported to house the head of John the Baptist lies inside the mosque walls.
Next to the mosques north gate sits the tomb of Salah al-Din ibn Ayyub (Saladin) the legendary
warrior-sultan who defeated the Crusaders in several decisive battles and drove them from
Jerusalem.
A modern (by Damascene standards) piece of history can be found in Souq al-Hamidiyya, where an
ancient street was converted into a lively covered market during the late-19th-century Ottoman era.
The bazaar is only one of the old citys many suqs, where sellers peddle spices, sweets, rugs, and all
manner of tempting wares as they have for centuries.
Traditional Damascene homes are often unassuming from the street, but their interiors, built around
lush courtyard gardens, are artistic and architectural treasures often filled with fine things. Some
outstanding examples are open to the public, such as the mid-18th-century Azem Palace, built for
the governor of Damascus but now home to the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
The ancient section of Damascus has seen populations decrease in recent years as residents seek
more modern housing. This trend has led to some empty buildings, which paired with government
redevelopment plans, may threaten some of the citys historic legacy.
How to Get There
Damascus International Airport is 16 miles (26 kilometers) from the center of the city. Damascus is
also well served by bus routes, both public and private, from other regional cities, including Beirut,
Lebanon, and Amman, Jordan.

When to Go
Damascus is an eternal city and worth a visit at any time of the year. Syrian summers are hot, and
winters are mild but wet. Spring and fall are excellent seasons for a visit.
How to Visit
Old Damascus winding lanes are best explored on foot, and a leisurely pace allows ample time to
explore the citys ageless charmsincluding frequent stops at enticing restaurants and cafes.