Damascus Map, Syria

Damascus Sightseeing

One of their popular tourist destinations is the Ummayad mosque. This architectural wonder has seen numerous historical occurrences happening in front of it having been once a Greek and Roman temple, then a mosque and a church at the same time, and as of late, just simply a mosque. Evidences of the great history of the city can be found inside the mosque via the Greek carvings and some Christian drawings on its walls.... read more

Damascus Travel Guide

However, it has gained in terms of historical relevance due to the various foreign influences, including invasions as varied as Greco-Roman to Islamic Arabs, to Fatimids, Seljuks and Mamluk rules. They brought in myriad cultural nuances that molded the soul of a very adaptable Syrian city, open to many forms of cuisine, art and learning. read more

Damascus History

The city first became under the Western control during the rampaging of Alexander the Great. In 323 upon the death of Alexander, it was tossed up between the Seleucid and the Ptolemaic empires. In 64 BC, Pompey annexed the city to the Roman Empire and became an official metropolis in 222 BC.  It reached its peak when it became the capital of the Ummayad Caliphate in 661 to 750 BC. read more

Damascus Nightlife

The perfect place to head in the city is the An-Naufara or literally 'the fountain.'  It is one coffee house in Old Damascus that is really hard to miss because it offers a breathtaking view of the Ummayad mosque. Likewise, one has the option to listen to a Hakawati or a traditional storyteller present at 7pm most nights. read more