Damascus

Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria, and it is known as the oldest capital city in the world. People in Syria often call it aš-Šām, and it is beautifully called the "City of Jasmine." Located in southwestern Syria, Damascus sits near the eastern foothills of the Anti-Lebanon mountains, about 80 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean Sea. The city lies on a plateau 680 metres above sea level and has a dry climate because mountains block the rain.

The Barada River flows through Damascus, giving the city life and water. Damascus is one of the oldest cities still lived in today, first settled around the year 3000 BC. It became very important when it was chosen as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750. Later, the seat of Islamic power moved to Baghdad, but Damascus remained significant, especially during the Ayyubid and Mamluk times. Today, Damascus is where the government of Syria is based. Even during difficult times like the Syrian civil war, people have worked to rebuild the city, starting new projects like Marota City and Basillia City.

Names and etymology

See also: Names of Damascus in different languages

The name of Damascus first appeared in old records from the 15th century BC. Its ancient name's meaning is not fully known.

In very old Egyptian writing, the name might mean "Place of the Hills" because Damascus sat at the foot of hilly areas. Travelers from the south or east had to go through rough, hilly lands to reach the city, which was like an oasis at the base of these hills.

Later, the name appeared in different forms in other old languages. In some of these, the name could mean "place of donkeys" because Damascus was a stop where travelers could get new donkeys for their journeys.

In Greek stories, there are a few myths about how the city got its name. One story says it was named after a giant called Ascus. Another says it was named after a man named Damaskos, who was the son of the messenger god Hermes. A third story tells of Damaskos cutting down vines that the god Dionysus had made, leading to his name becoming linked to the city.

In Arabic, the city is called Dimashq. Locals and neighboring people often call it aš-Šām, a word meaning "the Levant" or "Syria". This name comes from an old idea of direction: if you face east toward the sunrise, the north is on your left side. So aš-Šām means "the left-hand side" or "the north". This is different from the name Yemen, which means "the right-hand side" or "the south".

Geography

Damascus was built on a plateau 680 metres above sea level, about 80 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. The city is protected by the Anti-Lebanon Mountains and supplied with water by the Barada River. It sits at a crossroads of important trade routes.

The city covers an area of 105 square kilometres, with parts of it being urban and others like Jabal Qasioun being natural. The old city is near the Barada River, which is mostly dry today. Over time, the city has grown, especially to the north and west, with newer areas developing around important landmarks and roads.

History

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Damascus.

Early settlement

Evidence suggests that people lived near Damascus as far back as around 6300 BC. There is older evidence of people living in the wider area, but no large settlements were present inside Damascus until around the second millennium BC.

Late Bronze Age

During ancient times, Damascus was mentioned by leaders from Egypt and ruled by leaders from nearby areas. Later, it became a battleground between groups from the north and south before becoming an important center as the Bronze Age turned into the Iron Age.

Damascus appears in old writings and was said to have been founded by a leader named Uz, according to historical records.

Iron Age

Damascus became important when a group of people called the Aramaeans arrived in the 11th century BC. They built canals and tunnels to use the water from the Barada River better. The city grew and became a key place for trade and culture.

Hellenistic period

After being conquered by Alexander the Great, Damascus saw control shift between two large empires. One of Alexander’s generals renamed the city but its importance began to decline compared to newer cities.

Roman period

The Romans took control of Damascus in 64 BC and included it in a group of ten cities called the Decapolis. They redesigned the city, building streets and gates that still influence its layout today.

Rashidun period

When Islamic leaders took over Syria, Damascus was captured in 634 CE. Even though the city was now under new leadership, many people still followed older religious traditions.

Umayyad and Abbasid periods

Damascus served as the capital of a large Islamic empire under the Umayyads. Important buildings like the Grand Mosque of Damascus were built during this time. Later, the Abbasids took over and moved the capital to Baghdad, reducing Damascus's importance.

Ottoman period

The Ottoman Empire took control of Damascus in 1516. Over the next 400 years, the city saw the building of important mosques and markets. Damascus was an important stop for travelers heading to Mecca.

Modern period

20th century

In the early 1900s, people in Damascus began feeling strongly about their identity, partly in response to changes imposed by leaders from far away. After World War I, Damascus became part of a French-controlled area but later gained independence.

In 1979, the Old City of Damascus was recognized for its historical importance by UNESCO.

Civil war

Beginning in 2012, fighting reached the edges of Damascus. Over the years, parts of the city and nearby areas experienced heavy battles. By 2018, government forces had regained control of the city. In late 2024, opposition groups took control of Damascus, marking significant changes in the country's leadership.

Economy

Damascus used to be an important place for trading, but things have changed because of politics and new ways of doing business. Today, many goods from Damascus are sold to countries in the Arabian peninsula. Every fall, since 1954, the city has held a big trade show for people from all over the world.

Tourism could be big for Damascus because of its rich culture, but the civil war made it harder. Since the late 1980s, new hotels and cafes have been opening, especially in the old city, drawing visitors from Europe and locals.

In 2009, new office space became available, and two big projects, Marota City and Basilia City, began as part of rebuilding after the war. The Damascus stock exchange opened in March 2009 in the Barzeh district, with plans to move to a busier business area.

Damascus has many industries, including making textiles, processing food, creating cement, and producing chemicals. Most factories are run by the government, but some private businesses have started since the early 2000s. The old city is also known for its traditional crafts, like handmade copper engravings.

Demographics

In 2004, Damascus had a population of 1,552,161 people living in homes. The city is part of a big area with about 5 million people, including the cities of Douma, Harasta, Darayya, Al-Tall, and Jaramana.

Most people in Damascus are Syrian Arabs. The Kurds are the second largest group, living mainly in certain neighborhoods. Other groups include Palestinians, Armenians, Assyrians, Turkmens, Circassians, and a small Greek community.

Islam is the main religion, with most people being Sunni. There are also smaller groups of Alawites and Twelver Shi'a. Christians make up about 10%–15% of the population, with several church groups based in the city. There is also a smaller Druze group.

Sufism

Sufism has been important in Damascus, especially among Sunni practices. It has influenced both religious and political life in the city.

Historical sites

Main article: Old city of Damascus

The Ancient City of Damascus was added to the World Heritage List in 1979. Starting with the Aramaic kingdom from the 11th to 7th centuries BC, Damascus became an important center for the area. Today, the ancient city has over 125 important places showing its long history, including remains from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman times. Sadly, ongoing conflict and war still threaten these important places.

The Citadel of Damascus is located in the northwest part of the Old City. The Damascus Straight Street, known as the Via Recta, was the main east-west street of Roman Damascus and stretched over 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). Today, it includes Bab Sharqi Street and Souk Medhat Pasha, a covered market. Bab Sharqi Street has many small shops and leads to the old Christian area of Bab Tuma, where St George's Cathedral is located. Medhat Pasha Souq is a major market named after Midhat Pasha, the Ottoman governor who renovated it. At the end of Bab Sharqi Street is the House of Ananias, an underground chapel. The Umayyad Mosque, also called the Grand Mosque of Damascus, is one of the largest mosques in the world and has been a place of prayer since Islam began. A shrine inside is believed to hold the body of St. John the Baptist. The mausoleum of Saladin is in the gardens near the mosque. Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, a shrine for the youngest daughter of Husayn ibn Ali, is also close by.

The Old City of Damascus is surrounded by walls on the north, east, and part of the south. There are seven main gates, with the oldest dating back to Roman times. These gates include Bab al-Faradis, Bab al-Salam, Bab Tuma, Bab Sharqi, Bab Kisan, Bab al-Saghir, and Bab al-Jabiya. The area also has many important churches, mosques, schools, and old houses that show its rich history.

Sadly, many people have left the Old City, and some buildings are being abandoned or falling apart. In 2007, plans to demolish parts of the old walls caused concern. These issues led to the Old City being listed as one of the world's most endangered sites. It is hoped that this will help protect these important places for the future.

Threats to the future of the old City

Due to the rapid decline of the population of Old Damascus (between 1995 and 2009 about 30,000 people moved out of the old city for more modern accommodation), a growing number of buildings are being abandoned or are falling into disrepair. In March 2007, the local government announced that it would be demolishing Old City buildings along a 1,400 m (4,600 ft) stretch of rampart walls as part of a redevelopment scheme. These factors resulted in the Old City being placed by the World Monuments Fund on its 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world. It is hoped that its inclusion on the list will draw more public awareness to these significant threats to the future of the historic Old City of Damascus.

State of old Damascus

In spite of the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Center:

• Souq al-Atiq, a protected buffer zone, was destroyed in three days in November 2006;
• King Faysal Street, a traditional hand-craft region in a protected buffer zone near the walls of Old Damascus between the Citadel and Bab Touma, is threatened by a proposed motorway.
• In 2007, the Old City of Damascus and notably the district of Bab Tuma were recognized by The World Monument Fund as one of the most endangered sites in the world.

In October 2010, Global Heritage Fund named Damascus one of 12 cultural heritage sites most "on the verge" of irreparable loss and destruction.

Education

Damascus is the main place for learning in Syria. It has Damascus University, the oldest and biggest university in the country. After rules were made to allow private colleges, many new universities opened in the city and nearby areas, such as:

• Syrian Virtual University
• International University for Science and Technology
• Syrian Private University
• Arab International University
• University of Kalamoon
• Yarmouk Private University
• Wadi International University
• Al-Jazeera University
• European University Damascus

These schools help with education, including places like:

• Higher Institute of Business Administration
• Higher Institute of Applied Science and Technology
• Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts
• National Institute of Administration

Higher learning in Syria began with steps for growth through Damascus University.

Additional: - Syrian International Academy for Training and Development

Transportation

Main articles: Transport in Syria and Rail transport in Syria

Damascus is connected to other big cities in Syria through a network of roads. The M5 road links Damascus to Homs, Hama, Aleppo, and even Turkey to the north and Jordan to the south. The M1 road goes toward Latakia and Tartus, while the M4 connects the city to Al-Hasakah and Iraq. Another M1 highway leads west to Beirut.

The main airport is Damascus International Airport, about 20 km away, linking the city to several Middle Eastern places. Before the Syrian civil war, it had many more connections around the world.

Streets in Damascus can be narrow, especially in older areas, and there are speed bumps to slow traffic. Many taxis operate in the city, and their fares are set by law, with drivers required to use a taximeter.

Public transport in Damascus mainly uses buses and minibuses. There are about one hundred routes inside the city, some reaching nearby suburbs. Buses do not follow a fixed schedule or stops, often stopping where passengers need to get on or off. Many buses serve each route, so waiting time is short. Routes are named based on their start and end points, sometimes including a main stop. Between 2019 and 2022, over 100 modern buses arrived from China, improving the city's public transport.

The old main railway station, al-Hejaz railway station, about 1 km west of the old city, is no longer in use, but there is still a ticket counter and a shuttle to Qadam station, now the main railway station.

In 2008, plans were announced to build a Damascus Metro. The green line will run from west to east, serving areas like Moadamiyeh, Sumariyeh, Mezzeh, Damascus University, Hijaz, the Old City, Abbassiyeen, and Qaboun Pullman bus station. A full network of four metro lines is expected to be ready by 2050.

Culture

Damascus was named the 2008 Arab Capital of Culture. Preparation for this event started in February 2007. The city has many museums, such as the National Museum of Damascus, Azem Palace, and the Military Museum.

Popular sports in Damascus include football, basketball, swimming, tennis, table tennis, equestrian, and chess. The city has many football teams that play in the Syrian Premier League. Damascus also hosted the Pan Arab Games in 1976 and 1992.

The city has a lively nightlife with coffeehouses where people enjoy drinks and games. Tishreen Park is one of the largest parks and hosts the annual Damascus Flower Show. Nearby attractions include towns like Madaya, Bloudan, Zabadani, Maaloula, and Saidnaya.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Asia § Syria

Damascus has many sister cities around the world. These include:

• Ankara, Turkey
• Astana, Kazakhstan
• Bucharest, Romania
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Córdoba, Spain
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Rabat, Morocco
• Toledo, Spain
• Yerevan, Armenia

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Damascus

Damascus has been home to many famous people throughout history. The city has produced leaders, artists, and thinkers who have helped shape its rich culture. Many well-known individuals from different fields have lived and made their mark in Damascus.