Lens on Syria by Daniel Demeter
عدسة على سورية

Lens on Syria: A Photographic Tour of Its Ancient and Modern Culture by Daniel Demeter is now available from Just World Books! This photography book features the finest images of my extensive collection of photography from pre-conflict Syria, taken between 2006 and 2009. Over four hundred full-color images are contained within the 304 page volume, organized by geographic region into seven chapters and featuring a striking interior layout designed by Diana Ghazzawi. Professor Joshua Landis, …

Damascus – Markets
دمشق – اسواق

Perhaps nowhere else in Syria does the country’s vibrant culture come alive as in the traditional markets of its major cities. While Syria’s incredible historic monuments attract visitors from around the world, many leave the country more deeply impressed by its wonderful people and their culture, which is openly on display in Syria’s markets. Exploring the markets of Damascus (دمشق) will likely be one of …

Damascus – Umayyad Mosque
دمشق – الجامع الاموي

The most important monument in Damascus (دمشق), and perhaps the entire country, is the magnificent Umayyad Mosque (الجامع الاموي). No single historic site symbolizes the rich and varied cultural heritage of Syria as does this remarkable mosque. It has served as a place of worship continuously for several millennia, a holy place for over a thousand years even prior to the arrival of Islam. While …

Damascus – Khan Assad Basha
دمشق – خان اسعد باشا

Khan Assad Basha (خان اسعد باشا) is the largest and most noteworthy of the several dozen khans in the old city of Damascus (دمشق). Also known as caravanserai, khans offered accommodation for travelers, particularly large trade caravans. They also functioned as warehouses for receiving, storing and dispatching trade goods. Today, most simply serve as extensions of the surrounding markets, containing workshops and storage space for …

Damascus – Qasr al-Azem
دمشق – قصر العظم

Qasr al-Azem (قصر العظم)‎ is the most impressive and well-known of the historic residences in Damascus (دمشق). The palace was constructed in 1750 as the residence of Assad Basha al-Azem (أسعد باشا العظم‎), who served as the Ottoman governor of the city from 1743 until 1757. It was built upon the foundation of an earlier palace that was constructed under the Mamluk governor Tankiz (تنكيز‎), …

Damascus – al-Tekiyeh al-Suleimaniyeh Mosque
دمشق – جامع التكية السليمانية

al-Tekiyeh al-Suleimaniyeh Mosque (جامع التكية السليمانية) has been described as the finest example of Ottoman architecture in Damascus (دمشق). Designed by the prominent Ottoman architect Sinan under Sultan Suleiman I, construction of the complex began in 1554 and was completed five years later. While far more modest in scale than Sinan’s projects in Istanbul and elsewhere in the former Ottoman Empire, the mosque is nonetheless …

Damascus – National Museum
دمشق – المتحف الوطني

The largest and most important museum in the country, the National Museum (المتحف الوطني) in Damascus (دمشق) is a must on the itinerary of any visitor to Syria. To truly appreciate the incredible collection here, a visit of several hours and a knowledgable guide (or quality guidebook) is recommended. The museum includes collections from prehistoric sites such as Tel Abu Hureyra (تل أبو هريرة‎), ancient …

Damascus – Damascus Citadel
دمشق – قلعة دمشق

Located in the northwest corner of the old city, the Damascus Citadel (قلعة دمشق) was first fortified under Turkmen warlord Aziz Bin Awaq al-Khawarzami (ازيز بن أوق الخوارزمي) in 1076. It was not completed during his reign, but under subsequent ruler Abu Said Taj al-Dawleh Tatash al-Seljuqi (أبو سعيد تاج الدولة تتش السلجوقي‎). The citadel was expanded and modified several times in the following centuries, …

Damascus – al-Madrasa al-Aziziyeh
دمشق – المدرسة العزيزية

While little remains of the Ayyubid-era al-Madrasa al-Aziziyeh (المدرسة العزيزية), the notable survival is the burial chamber of Salah al-Din Yousef Bin Ayoub (صلاح الدين يوسف بن أيوب‎). The Tomb of Salah al-Din (قبر صلاح الدين) was completed in 1196 during the brief reign of his son, al-Afdal Bin Salah al-Din (الأفضل بن صلاح الدين‎), over Damascus (دمشق). The surrounding religious school, of which only …

Damascus – Beit Khalid al-Azem
دمشق – بيت خالد العظم

Beit Khalid al-Azem (بيت خالد العظم)‎ is an impressive Ottoman-era house that once belonged to the prominent al-Azem (العظم) family. This luxurious residence was constructed in the 18th century in the historic Sarouja (ساروجة‎) neighborhood, a short distance northwest of the old city of Damascus (دمشق). It covers 3,136 square meters, making it one of the largest historic residences in the city. The enormous central …