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Sights

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kassioun, Kassyon mountain

kassioun, Kassyon mountain

Diaa Alwa

You’ll most likely enter the Old City at its western end next to the citadel —incidentally this is the only spot where the ancient walls have been torn down. The large open archway leads directly into the Suq al Hamidiyeh the largest of several interconnected serpentine bazaars. It runs in a straight line east and west to a Roman arch (once part of the Temple of Jupiter) which opens onto a large square. This is where most of the sights are to be found at close distance.

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Khans and Medressas

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Around the Omayyad Mosque are several khans (old hostelries for traveling merchants and pilgrims) and madrasas (theological schools). South of the mosque is the Azem Palace once the home of an Ottoman governor and now a museum.

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Azam Palace

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In the Old City near the Citadel, visitors can find Azam Palace.  Once the governor's palace, and home to Faisal before being expelled by the French, Azam Palace is now a cultural history museum.  The grounds are filled with lush greenery and beautiful fountains, and the exhibits (made up almost entirely of dioramas) display living areas, school rooms, and traditional clothing. 

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Ommayad Mosque

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Across the square is the Omayyad Mosque (early 8th century) a must-see. Before you enter the mosque you’ll pass by Saladin’s Mausoleum also included in the admission price. Beyond that a gate leads into the courtyard. Take time to walk around and admire the three minarets and the beautiful gold and green mosaics especially on the main portal and the raised treasury. You can enter the mosque’s prayer hall at either end of the courtyard.

Walk around the prayer hall first—if prayers aren’t being said—and then have a seat on the carpets and soak in the atmosphere. more..

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Mt Kassioun

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kassioun, Kassyon mountain
kassioun, Kassyon mountain
 photo by: Diaa Alwa

For a good view of Damascus take a taxi up to Mt. Kassioun.

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Via Recta

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Farther south is the Street Called Straight the 2 000-year-old Roman Via Recta which runs the entire length of the old city. (Unfortunately it’s also the major thoroughfare for cars in the Old City making it an unpleasant route for pedestrians.) The halfway point is marked by a Roman archway and east of that is the Christian quarter.

Many different denominations—Syrian Catholic Greek Catholic Armenian Orthodox Armenian Catholic and Maronites—have churches in the quarter. Be sure to see the Nassan Palace an opulent home-cum-museum near Bab Sharqi (East Gate) and a short more..

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Hammam

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For more quiet time and relaxation visit one of the many Hammam such as Hammam Nureddin (800 years old and the most famous but a bit touristy

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