Damascus travel guide

Millennia of History

The modern capital of Syria is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, so it goes without saying that history lovers will find plenty to do here. Archeological evidence suggests that the city was first inhabited almost ten thousand years ago, and since then, historical heavyweights like Alexander the Great, Tamerlane, St. Paul, and the Prophet Mohammed have left their marks on the place. The old town, which sits on the south bank of the Barada River, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Its most popular attraction is the Umayyad Mosque-also known as the Grand Mosque of Damascus-which is reputed to house the head of John the Baptist. Other highlights include the sprawling Souk al-Hamidiyya and Souk Midhat Pasha markets, the statue of Saladin, and the comparatively modern Azem Palace. On its northern and eastern edges, the old city is surrounded by walls and citadels, some of which date to Roman times.

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