Old Damascus
"Damascus, the home of marvels, the oldest inhabited capital in the world, the model of Eternity"
Italian news paper
Old Damascus :
Old Damascus
Damascus does not fail to enchant. The old in maze of creaky old buildings that slump over twisting, narrow alleyways and getting lost is a mandatory part of the experience. The timeless oriental bazaars and blend of the old city where one feels stuck are in sharp contrast with the modern brick buildings of the new city. Veiled women in traditional garb among ladies appearing in western style fashion. Old men in Jambalaya also shuffle past. The hustle and bustle of Damascus is compares to any modern city. The souk of Hamidiye (market place) with its wonky streets is punctuated by vendors trying to sell you everything from household appliances to spices and gold. The old houses of Old Damascus undisturbed for centuries in the old quarter are one of the hidden treasures of this city and last but not least the Omayyad Great Mosque with its golden globe seen from the entrance of the souk which dates back to the early days of Islam is one of the oldest and most famous buildings, it formerly served as a byzantine church honoring saint john the Baptist and was constructed on the site of an old temple to pre-Islamic gods. Old Damascus is strife with spectacular ancient and classical architectural sites, poetry was also popular towards the end of the 10th century and Arabic calligraphy and classical writing too, and therefore Damascus has the best Arabic schools in the Middle East. Music in Damascus captures a position in the Syrian society therefore many of the Arab musician stars are Syrian. While walking the street of the Souks of Damascus you are likely to hear a mixture of modern Arab tunes and old ones.
The Damascene Houses in Old Damascus :
Old Damascene Houses
Old Damascene Houses are palaces in the full meaning of the word. What distinguish these old houses from others is more than one thing, the paintings which decorate the walls of these houses are the first thing which make these old Damascene houses museums or galleries. Generally, the Old Damascene houses were the people's rest places, their aesthetic pleasures and their representative in the social life. A visit to these houses will certainly have its share in enriching lovers' test.
The hotels & the restaurants in Old Damascus :
Old Damascene Hotels
A Damascene house which is typical of oriental architecture mirrors the social requirements, copes with Islamic traditions, and releases on the raw materials that are found in the Ghouta "farms and gardens that were surrounding Damascus" and overlooking the mountains.Therefore most of the old Damascene houses and the palaces have been converted into Hotels & Restaurants where you can feel the atmosphere of old Shami living style. Nevertheless, it is always decorated with the beautiful handicrafts that marveled at the hands of the habitants.
How houses of Old Damascus look like :
Old Damascene Hotel & Houses ( outside)
The old Damascene house looked solid and sealed off from the outside, but inside all rooms looks on spacious open courtyard with trees planted here and there and a water basin in the center. The rooms are large and comfortable. More often there is a second floor over the ground floor, having windows that open to the marrow streets. A quite family life is enjoyed here a midst lovely ornaments created of gypsum, the hard earth, wood or marble made even more beautiful by inscriptions of Islamic calligraphy or a symphony of color and craved wood which decorate the walls and ceilings. On the walls there are shelves where books or utensils, pots and cups are stored in a manner meant to be decorative.
What to visit in Old Damascus :
The Omayad Mosque: It is one of the most important religious structures in the whole of Syria.
- Souk Al Hammidiyeh: This is a long covered market that leads into the heart of the old city.
- City walls: The city of Old Damascus is pierced by a seven gates.
- Azem palace
- The old Damascene houses
- The Danish institute
- Beit Nizzam
- Maktab Anbar
References:
- Map Picture ((housing.justlanded.com)) : http://housing.justlanded.com/en/Syria/For-Rent_Apartments/a-flat-in-wonderful-Old-Damascus
- Old Damascus Painting picture: painting.damascus
- Cometosyria.com Copyright © 2007-2012, Al Pasha Hotel, URL: http://www.cometosyria.com/en/hotels-in-syria/Hotels+in+Damascus/details/82/Al+Pasha+hotel