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Why Damascus
Old City is special

Damascus in Syria is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) cities in the world. Although most of sprawling modern-day
Damascus is nondescript, its walled Old City is outstanding.

Reserve ample time to explore the ancient streets within
Damascus Old City. They are lined with venerable homes
- and some of the balconies of the dwellings overhang
the narrow alleys so far that they almost kiss those on the other side.

The crowded, covered Souk (marketplace) is also a must-do
Damascus Old City experience. Goods of many varieties are hawked by shopkeepers verbally jostling each other
for the attention of passing buyers.

Why the Umayyad
Mosque is special

The top tourist draw of Damascus Old City is the Umayyad (also spelled Omayyad) Mosque. It was erected around
700 AD.

The
Umayyad is renowned for the immense prayer hall. Its floors are blanketed with valuable oriental rugs.

Other Umayyad Mosque marvels include the vast courtyard (for scale, notice the blue-robed person in the photo)
and the stunning mosaic work on the walls and archways.

Today the Umayyad Mosque is the fourth holiest site of
Islam (after Mecca, Medina and the Dome of the Rock).





View my other top 100
Wonders of the World

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