Syria city: Damascus

Damascus – one of the most ancient cities in the world and the most ancient "Existing" the capitals of the planet (first mentioned in the chronicles of XV in. to N. NS.). Arriving at the intersection of caravanways, Damascus has always been considered the capital of trade in Eastern Mediterranean. For many centuries, this city manifes representatives of different cultures and peoples. Many hundreds of years of the glory of the Masters of Damascus and rumors about the irrelevant wealth of his markets were attracted here, into the fertile valley of the Barada River and the oasis of Guta, all new and new merchants. It is here, according to legends, Cain killed Abel, the legendary biblical king Nimrod was buried here, here the Temple of Jupiter Damassky rose and here he accepted Christianity the apostle Paul.

The unique object made in UNESCO World Heritage Lists is considered "Old city" Damascus, surrounded by the Roman wall and retavated in many places a daunting layout. There are interesting antique quarters and VIA-Pekts ("Straight street"), Mosque of Omeyadov (VIII in., The largest mosque of the world) with unique mosaics, Mausoleum Salah Ad-Dina (1193 g.), which rests the ashes of the legendary Sultan, which began the expulsion of the Crusaders from the East, the Residence of the Turkish Vali – the Palace of Casre Al-Aland (1749 g., Now here is the Museum of Art and Folk Traditions), Cancer. John the Baptist (the head of the saint) is kept here, the Cathedral of the Antioch Orthodox Church – the Temple of the Virgin, the underground church of St. Anania (here was baptized apostle Paul), the tower of Bab-Kisan, the mosque Takia as-Suleymania (1554 g., It is considered one of the most beautiful in the Arab world), numerous medieval madrasas and markets, including the famous SUK-al-Hamidiya with a caravan-barran Khan Asaad Pasha and the largest boring spice market.

Seyida Zeynab (the tomb of the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed, the daughter of the Khalifa Ali), Seyida-joy (tomb of the granddaughter of Khalifa Ali, daughter Hussein), the Cemetery of Bab Sagyar, on which many historical persons were buried (Bilal Abyssinian – the Support of the Prophet Mohammed and the first Muzzin Islam, the famous al-Farabi scientist and others.), the cave Magarat hell-Damm (it was in her Cain killed his brother) on the slopes of Mount Kasyun, the funeral sarcophage of Abel and T. D.

In the city, many museums, both private and state, among whom the National Museum is particularly distinguished by the collection of unique exhibits of ancient civilizations from Mesopotamia to Phenicia, a meeting of the first samples of writing, a collection of provincial ancient art, a famous collection of weapons, the reconstruction of the synagogue of Dura Europos ( III B.) with the only frescoes for your time on the topic of Old Testament, as well as the luxurious ethnographic collection. Military Museum in Damascus is famous for one of the richest collections of ancient and medieval weapons in the world. Bimaristan – Hospital and Medical Academy of Medieval Damascus, now – Museum of Medicine History with rare exhibits.

In the vicinity of the capital there are such famous resort places like Sunny, Bluduan, Madaj, Bontein and DR. But the main attractions in the vicinity of Damascus are the Orthodox Monastery of the Sednay Mother of God in the town of the same name (22 km. from Damascus) at a height of 1,450 m. above sea level, with a famous miraculous icon, written in legends. Luka, as well as the town of Maaalulyu with the Women’s Monastery of St. Fekla and Church of St. Sergius or Mar Sarkis. Maaalulya and 2 surrounding villages – the only place in the world, where they still speak in the language of Jesus Christ – West-Aramaic Naschai. 160 km. North of Damascus lies Homs, the famous ibn al-valid mosque with two minarets and the tomb of this legendary Arabic commander, Nuri mosque (XII in.), Church of Kanis Umm-Zunnar ("Belt of God’s Mother", I B. N. NS.) and Basilica. Eliana (VIII in. N. NS.), famous for its frescoes.

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