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DAMASCUS THE OLDEST CITY STILL STANDING IN THE WORLD Damascus is located on longitude 36ْ 18’ east and latitude 33ْ 21’ north and at altitude 690m above mean see level. Damascus is an embracing enchantment, opening on Barada river banks pages and pages of time, which has passed. Surrounding it the greenery of Ghouta oasis vivifying air of Zabadani and Bloudan Mountain it is perhaps the oldest still existing town in the world Its oasis on the gates of the desert has attracted Man since the remotest times. Archeological find at Tal Al-Ramad near Katana (25 km south west of the city) are from the VI millennium B.C. tablets found at Ebla, in central of Syria, confirming that Damascus was a substantial town in the III millennium B.C. Egyptian documents call it “Damashka” nearly the same that the present local name “dimashk”, around the middle of the II millennium B.C. it became the center of an important Aramean kingdom and some believe that its name comes from an old Aramean (Semitic) word “Dameq” meaning the irrigated land. The Aramean are north Arabs whose language was spoken by Christ and is still spoken in some villages around Damascus (Maaloula, Jaba’adin, Bakhaa) during the Roman period, Damascus was famous for its architects who adopted the chessboard town planning system. It goes without saying that religious monuments occupied a prominent place in Damascus throughout history. Thus, an Aramean temple, dedicated to the local God “Hadad” became a temple of “Zeus” during the Hellenistic period, a temple of “Jupiter” during the Roman era, a church of St. John was built during the Byzantine period and is now the famous Umayyad mosque. The classical Corinthian columns, with their beautifully decorated friezes, are still extant. Damascus witnessed a great number of historic periods, the Aramean, the Hellenistic, the Roman, and the Byzantine, during which many churches were built, but its golden age became at the dawn of Islam with Umayyad era (661-750) when it became the capital of the huge Empire extending from Spain to India. After which came the Abbasids, Fatemide, Seljoukide, Atabek, Ayoubite, Mamluk, Ottoman, and French period. It passed through intervals of splendour and decadence, but it remained always a big town and true representative of the current civilization. Its old remains are still buried beneath the town, but what is standing gives enough evidence of the greatness of the town: Umayyad mosque: As told previously, it stands on the location of successive religious monuments. It was built by Umayyad caliph Al-Walid Ben Abdul-Malek (705-715A.D., 86-96 of Higra) some historians report that its construction cost eleven million gold dinars. It is well proportioned, beautifully designed and adorned with many mosaic panels. A rectangular area 156x97m. Encompasses a central courtyard surrounded a covered arcade followed on one side by a huge prayer room. The mosque has three main gates features the “Dome of the Eagle” which rises to a height of 36m. Supported by four solid piers. The prayer room is divided into four naves. It features also four minarets and 88 windows, each two of them above a big vault, adorned with stained glass. Mosaic and marble decorations feature geometric figures and stylized plant representations. The architectural perfection of the spirit. It is construction took ten years (705-715A.D.) and it is located at the very center of the old town at the end ok Souk Hamidieh. It includes what is believed to be the tomb of St. john the Baptist and in the neibourhood lies the tomb of Salaheddin (Saladin). National Museum: It is very important museum on the world scale. Its collections are rationally distributed according to periods, sites and artfully arranged. It includes the following sections: A- Pre-historic section: It contains valuable collection of Neolithic artifacts, including stone tools, potteries, and bone tools. It contains also fossils of extinct animals. B- Old Syrian Section: Contains collections of objects found un the old cities of Ebla, Mari, Ugarit, … and etc, as well as objects from other archeological sites such as Kazel, Tal Al-khwera, and Tal Rifaat, …etc. C- Hellenistic, Roman & Byzantine Section: Contains very rich collection of objects found in Syria and belonging to the above- mentioned periods, including potteries, stone sculptures, metal objects, arms, jewels, casting, textiles, mural frescoes, manuscripts and mosaic panels. D- Arab-Islamic Section: It contains the richest collections of the museum, including the mural frescoes discovered at WEST AL-HIR castle, potteries, ceramics, metal objects, wood objects, arms, castings, jewels, coins, manuscripts, and etc. E- Modern Art Section: Contains examples of works by modern and contemporary Syrian artists, including paintings, sculptures and other arts. It is arranged according to art schools: Classical, Naturalist, Impressionist, Cubist, Surrealist, Abstract, and etc. F- Open Air Section of the Museum: It contains huge stone works distributed between beautiful very old trees and beds of flowers surrounding a water pool. Damascus has also the following important museums: Damascus Historical Museum: It is located at Azem House, Thawra Street, and contains collections of dealing with the history of Damascus itself. There is collection of photographic pictures showing the old quarters of Damascus before the present day renovation, a collection of paintings and drawings of Damascus during various periods, a collection of reduced model showing the extension and urban architecture of Damascus during various period, and a collection of archeological objects and artifacts. Museum of Arab Medicine and Sciences: It is located at the NURI’S BIMARISTAN (hospital), Harika quarter. It is contains objects used by ancient Arab physicians and scientists paintings at the most famous of them and things relating to medicine and sciences of old times. Museum of Arabic Calligraphy: It is located at the Jakmakieh Madressa (which back to the Mamluk era), North t o Umayyad Mosque. Specimens of beautifully calligraphed Arabic writings on various kinds of support belonging to different periods are being kept here together with tools used for writing the Arabic script in its various forms during the said periods, it is to be noted that calligraphy is considered as one of the fine arts in the Arab world. Damascus Military Museum: It temporary occupies a place at Takeih Suleimanieh. It contains pictures and painting representing the most famous battles through the ages and specimens of various kinds of weapons used at various periods. Damascus Agricultural Museum: It is located in Halbouni quarter, West of Hijaz Railways station. It contains specimens of a main agricultural products and domestic animals, as well as good collection of agricultural tools used in Syria throughout the ages. It contains also paintings, pictures and drawings representing rural life in Syria. Umayyad Mosque Museum: It is the newest museum in Damascus. It contains a collection of objects found, by digging or otherwise, in the Umayyad mosque, as well as of similar objects found elsewhere and related to Arab Islamic arts. It contains also a valuable collection of old manuscripts of the holy Qura’an . Popular Traditions & Handicrafts Museum: Azem Palace: It stands near the Umayyad Mosque and was the palace of the Ottoman governor Damascus. Its architecture is remarkable, and constitutes an outstanding example of the traditional damascene house. It is many rooms, courtyards and covered iwans are adorned with beautiful stone and wood decorations featuring arabesques and geometric figures, with many fountains, water ways, flower beds, and trees, etc. the palace harbours at present the popular traditions( folklore) and handicraft Museum. The various rooms present scenes of traditional social and masterpieces of local handicrafts in the fields of decoration, glass, textiles, leather, and metal of local handicrafts in the fields of decoration, glass, textiles leather and metal works. Takieh Sulaimanieh: Was constructed by the Ottoman architect Sinan, during the reign of Sultan Sulaiman the magnificent over the ruins of the place of the great Mamluk sultan Al_Zaher Bibars, which was known under the name of “Al-Ablak Palace”. It encompasses a huge Tekieh (almhouse), a medrassa (school), a mosque and a souk (commercial market) handy craft. It is adorned with numerous domes, two very high and slender minarets and beautiful gardens. Souk Hamidieh : It is the most important souk and constitutes a permanent show-case a trade fair. It goes straight from where stood Bab Al-Nasr ( victory gate) to the entrance of the Umayyad Mosque. It was constructed by the Ottoman sultan Abdul-hamid though a nearly demolished area around 1863A.D. it is now a very crowded souk in which well designed shops offer all kinds of goods, clothes, ready made dresses, traditional dresses, brocades, handicrafts, wood mosaic, engraved copper wares, jewels, and etc. Souk Madhat Pasha: It is parallel to souk Hamidieh and lies over the Roman Street Via Recta. It was constructed by the Ottoman governor of Damascus, Madhat Pasha, around 1878. Its many small shops specialize in local textile goods like silk, wool traditional garment, and etc.. it contains many important khans( caravanserais), and it is end lies ( Maktab Anbar) one of the most beautiful old Damascus houses which is used now as “ place of cultural”> Souk AL-Harir ( silk market) Darwish Pasha, governor of Damascus, constructed it around 1574. it has its entrance at the end of souk Hamidieh. It contians many shops for textile products, perfums, and etc. Souk Al-Khayateen ( tailor’s market) Constructed by Darweesh Pasha, around 1553, it connects with souk AlHarir and specializes in wool products. Between the two souks lie the mosque and tomp of Nureddin Zenki, which includes an entrance adorned with beautiful arabesque. Souk Al-Bzourieh It lies between souk Madhat Pasha, and Azem palace, and specializes in spices, oriental perfumes, nuts, sweets and similar goods in its middle stands the famous nuri Bath constructed in the XII h century. It contains also Khan Assaad Pasha, a beautiful caravanserai from the XIXh century. Many others souks may be found in this area, such as souk Al-Souf ( the wool market) , souk Al-koton ( the cotton market ) and souk al_ nahhassin ( the coppersmiths market) . inside the Tkieh Suliemanieh, a soul has been established for handicrafts and traditional products. Walls and gates of Damascus: The first wall surrounding Damascus was built during the Aramean era. It was rebuilt during Roman era using huge stones; the roman wall remained during the subsequent periods with very slight modifications. It has seven gates known as Bab Sharki (the east gate), Bab Kisan, Bab Touma (St. Thomas gate), bab Al_jabieh, Bab Jannik, bab Al_Faradiss (paradise gate) and bab alsaghir (the small gate). The main street of the roman town, Decumanus, also called Via Recta (the street called straight), extended from bab al jabieh to bab sharki and had on both sides rows of Corinthian columns, with arches and statues, the remains of which lie now at a depth of four meters under the present street called “ souk madhat pasha”. Some of the towers which adorned the surrounding are still extant, such as “ Nureddin’s Tower” and al-Saleh ayoub’s tower” near bab sharki. Other gates were opened in the wall during the Muslim era, such as Bab alsalam and Bab alfaraj. Damascus citadel : Damascus citadel was part of the city defenses, it was rebuilt and extended by Seljukides, around 1078A.D as a stronghold for their soldiers. It was surrounded by strong walls, with man towers, and by a water filled ditch. It contained houses for the soldiers and their families, public baths, mosques and schools. In 1202 it was reconstructed by Ayoubite king Al-Malek alAdel, using huge stones. It was stand during the assaults of the Mogols and before them the assaults of the Crusaders, but it was neglected during the Ottoman period. Damascus famous because of churches and convents, inside and outside the town. Many of them still remain, such as, inside town in Bab sharki area, ST. Hanania Church, St. Paul church, Marian Church, …..etc. During all ages, its varied markets characterized Damascus. At the present, theses souks agglomerate around the Umayyad mosque, and feature metal sheet covers with perforations through which the day sky appears as so much stars. Seydnaya: A small town at an altitude of 1600m. above the mean sea level and at 25 km. North east of Damascus, it has a special spiritual and historical importance. Its convent is believed to have been guilt by the roman ( Byzantine) emperor Justinian and to harbour a miraculous icons. It is one of the most popular holy shrines for eastern Christians. Seydnaya means in Aramaic :our Lady”. A legendary story about a hunting party by Justinian and the apparition of the Virgin Mary is told to explain the construction of such a huge convent in this remote place, the convent is constructed on a big rock with steep slopes from all sides . it can be only reached through newly constructed very long stairs, and entered through a low and narrow gate, which obliges all visitors to bend down for passage. The view from its top around the country side is very beautiful . its old rooms, including the one, which contains the miraculous icon, are excavated in hard rock. It contains numerous other icons as well as a collection of gold and silver lamps, which light until now with pure olive oil. Many smaller convents and churched maybe found in the neighboring countryside. Ma’aloula: At 60 km north of Damascus and 1500m. above the sea level, it features apocalyptic rock formations and many convents and churched S. Takla convent is believed to be the oldest still existing convent in the world. It is partly excavated in hard rock. St. Sarkis convent stands on a hill above Maaloula, with very beautiful view of the countryside. It features an important collection of old icons. The populations of Maaloula still speak the old Aramaic ( Syrian) language, which was spoken by Christ. The neighboring villages of Jaba’din and Bakhaa contain other churches and convents. The whole area is a true picture of ancient times. As befits a town as old as Damascus. Al-Sayida Zeinab Shrine: Daughter of Hussein son of Ali, great grand daughter of the prophet Mohammad, Zeinab is believed to be buried in this village at 10 km south east of Damascus. The shrine contains the tomb, and mosque and is characterized by a profusion of bright decorations made of interlaced silver, gold enamel, and glass…etc. as well as by a great number of chandeliers being votive offerings. As a whole, the shrine appears like a jewel. -Zabadani: at 45 km north- west of Damascus and at 1175m . above the sea level, it is beautiful little surrounded by green orchards, and famous for it tasty fruits. - Bloudan: On the mountain slope above Zabadani, at 55 km from Damascus and at 1500m above sea level, this high perched village has grown up into a full blown summer resort. It has a pure mountainous air, beautiful views over the Zabadani valley and pure mountain water from numerous springs. - Buqqein : It is on the road to Zabadani and has spring of highly evaluated mineral water, part of which is being embattled. - Figeh Spring: this village lies at the foot of powerful karstic spring ( Figeh spring), which supplies water to the whole of Damascus. It is located at the bottom of the deep Barada river valley and surrounded by beautiful orchards. -Ain Al-Khadra ( Khadra Spring) Likewise located in the deep Barada valley, it features beautiful gardens and resorts. -AL-Rabweh: At the entrance to Damascus from Zabadani road, it lies in deep gorge through which the Barada River treads a difficult way. It is famous for its beauty and resorts. On the road following the Barada River from Damascus to Zabadani, there are many other resorts at Hameh, Bassimeh, Jdaideh, Ashrafieh and so … All famous for their beautiful orchards at the bottom of the valley while the top is completely barren. Damascus oasis the GHOUTA, is quite famous. It is the reason why Damascus has been located where it stands. It surrounds the city from nearly all directions, it is very extensive, and all of it is covered with fruit orchards in the midst of which many restaurant, parks , and resorts hotel have been established there. Near Damascus there are also Tal and Munin resorts at the height of around 1300m above the sea level, also located a restaurants . This is Damascus the witness of the oldest civilization in the world. |
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