Damascus, Capital city in southwestern Syria.
Description
Damascus is the national capital in southwestern Syria and spreads across several low hills and flat valleys along a river. Residential buildings with enclosed courtyards and high walls shape the cityscape next to markets and small public squares.
History
A settlement existed here over 8000 years ago, making it among the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth. From 661 to 750, it served as the center of the Umayyad Caliphate before power shifted to Baghdad.
Culture
Local families gather in the evening at small tea houses in the old quarters, continuing centuries-old routines of conversation and hospitality. The narrow streets host craftspeople who still work copper, wood, and glass using methods learned from their ancestors.
Practical
The international airport connects travelers to destinations across the Middle East, while local buses and shared taxis move through the narrow stone lanes. When walking in the old quarters, it helps to ask shopkeepers for directions, as many alleys lack clear signage.
Did you know?
Medieval metalworkers here developed steel with wavy patterns and exceptional hardness for sword blades. The exact production technique was lost centuries ago and has never been fully recreated.
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Umayyad Mosque
329 m
Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch
437 m
Ancient City of Damascus
368 m
Al-Azm Palace
396 m
Mausoleum of Saladin
355 m
Temple of Jupiter, Damascus
561 m
Bab Tuma
527 m
Saint George Cathedral in Damascus
582 m
Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque
221 m
Khan As'ad Pasha
512 mBab al-Salam
139 m
Al-Buzuriyah Souq
508 mKhadra Palace
407 m
Bab al-Faradis
262 m
Al-Adiliyah Madrasa
458 m
Aqsab Mosque
297 m
Hammam Nur al-Din
490 m
Patriarchal Exarchate of Damascus
373 m
Pauluskloster der Franziskaner
550 m
Church of the Queen of the Universe
378 mCham Cinema Theatre
368 mجامع التوبة
552 mباب المعبد الغربي
428 mالباب الروماني
457 mمدفن الطيارين العثمانيين
351 mالطاحونة الأيوبية
119 mضريح صلاح الدين الأيوبي
354 mSaint John The Baptist
308 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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