Syrian Air

  Ministry of Tourism

     Damascus

Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited capital in the world. It has occupied a position of importance in the fields of science, culture, politics and art during the third millennium B.C. It became the capital of the first Arab State at the Umayyad period in 661 A.D. At the end of the second millennium B.C, the Aramean leader Rezone established his kingdom in Damascus. National museum: The National Museum of Damascus is generally recognized as one of the finest of its Kind in the world. There are thousands of statues, stamps, and pieces of jewelers, weapons, precious stones, sculptures, masks, tablets, textiles, mosaics, glasswork and coins. Sections of the Museum are; Oriental Antiquities, such as; the Ugarit Alphabet, gold, silver, and ivory statues. The Arab-Islamic Section contains the facade of Qasr Al-Hir Al-Gharbi, glasswork, weapons, coins, and earthenware. Modern Arts Section contains contemporary Syrian art works. Salahdin tomb: This Tomb was originally a part of Al-Aziziyeh school built by Othman, Salah Ad-Din's son in the twelfth century A.D. The whole interior part is decorated with polychrome marble mosaics. Tengiz mosque: The present appearance of the mosque owes much to its conversion under Ibrahim Pasha (1832-40) to a military school, and its restoration after 1932. The Mosque is rich in historical associations having been built in 1317 on the site of a former church of St. Nicholas. Ajami mosque: Ajami Mosque intended both as a tomb and Koranic school was built after 1348 A.D. The facade is in the familiar Mamluk striped masonry with door and windows. Frankish capitals are employed in the (Mihrab) of the prayer hall. Umayyad mosque: It has three minarets. One dominating the yard at the left and called the Bride Minaret dates back to the Umayyad period. The minaret of Jesus at the south of the prayer hall. The upper parts of the Mosque were renovated during the Ayubid, Mamulk and Ottoman eras. The Mosque has a large prayer hall and an enormous courtyard. The interior walls are covered with mosaic panels. The dome is grayish blue. The prayer hall contains a domed shrine venerated by both Christians and Muslims. The Mosque has the tomb of St. John the Baptist. Seydnaya church: The Church, dedicated to St. Peter Mar Bontros, has a very ancient tomb. There are other minor sites of historical interest in the area. There is a church to the northeast on the escarpment overlooking the great Syrian Desert. Caves of holy men and chapel in their memory can be visited. Mar takla church: Behind Mar Sarkis Monastery is Mar Takla (St. Thecla) of Orthodox confession and the parish church both located in the village are world a visit. Azem palace: Azem Palace is an astonishing example of Damascus house. Here one finds a sense of Space, a wealth of polychrome stone, splendid marble, cascading fountains and fragrant flowers. The Palace now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions. Historical museum: Like Al-Azem Palace, the Historical Museum is considered as a fine example of old Damascus houses. It contains historical documents relating to the inhabitants of Damascus.