Sha'alan, Market area in Damascus, Syria
Sha'alan is a food market in Damascus where cheeses, meat products, and ready-cooked meals sit side by side. The shop is packed with shelves filled with offerings ranging from pizza to dried meats.
The area was named after Nuri Al Shaalan, a tribal leader who purchased land and built a mosque there in the 1920s. This construction soon attracted other merchants who opened their shops in the growing neighborhood.
The market reveals the daily eating habits of Damascus residents through its collection of homemade cheeses, meat products, and traditional sweets. Visitors can watch how local families choose ingredients for their everyday meals here.
The shop is easy to reach on foot and sits in a busy area with other stores nearby. It is best to come early in the morning when selection is greatest and it is less crowded.
During the French Mandate period, the market area became a place where French and Italian expatriates settled near Franciscan institutions. This mixed population left traces in the types of products sold here even today.
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