Middle East Things to Do Tips by tini58de

Syria: Craq des Chevaliers

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"The two castles represent the most significant examples illustrating the exchange of influences and documenting the evolution of fortified architecture in the Near East during the time of the Crusades (11th to 13th century). The Crac des Chevaliers was built by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1142 to 1271. With further construction by the Mamluks in the late 13th century, it ranks among the best-preserved examples of the Crusade castles. It is an archetype of the medieval castle, particularly of the military orders and includes eight round towers built by the Hospitallers and a massive square tower added by the Mamluks. Similarly, the Qal’at Salah El-Din (Fortress of Saladin), even though partly in ruins, still represents an outstanding example of this type of fortification, both in terms of the quality of construction and the survival of historical stratigraphy. It retains features from its Byzantine beginnings in the 10th century, the Frankish transformations in the late 12th century and fortifications added by the Ayyubids dynasty (late 12th to mid-13th century)."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

This castle really is very impressive! On our trip through Syria we had camped right next to it and I still remember having breakfast with this unbelievable view! History becomes alive there!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1229

Yemen: Sana'a

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Situated in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2,200 m, Sana'a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. In the 7th and 8th centuries the city became a major centre for the propagation of Islam. This religious and political heritage can be seen in the 103 mosques, 14 hammams and over 6,000 houses, all built before the 11th century. Sana'a's many-storeyed tower- houses built of rammed earth (pisé) add to the beauty of the site."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Travelling to Yemen was a step back in time and the adventure of a very Islamic travel destination! Sana'a's architecture was nothing like I had ever seen before and thus was one of the most spectacular places I had ever visited!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/385.htm

Turkey: Istanbul

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than 2,000 years. Its masterpieces include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th-century S?leymaniye Mosque, all now under threat from population pressure, industrial pollution and uncontrolled urbanization."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Istanbul was an adventure: it was the first time, that I travelled to Turkey with my husband, and it proved, that he was a true explorer as well! We loved the mosques and the monuments so full of history - and we sure enjoyed the bazaars and food stalls as a change as well! Great place, indeed!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=356

Syria: Palmyra

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"An oasis in the Syrian desert, north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Now this is an oasis in the true senso of the word: imagine driving through the desert and all of the sudden seeing palm trees and a prosperous city - even if it is an ancient one with beautiful columns and buildings. What a fantastic sight!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/23.htm

Syria: Damascus

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Founded in the 3rd millennium B.C., Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. In the Middle Ages, it was the centre of a flourishing craft industry, specializing in swords and lace. The city has some 125 monuments from different periods of its history – one of the most spectacular is the 8th-century Great Mosque of the Umayyads, built on the site of an Assyrian sanctuary."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Damascus was the starting point and the end of our trip through Syria and Jordan. We spent some nice days there and visited the sights, enjoyed our shopping tours through the souks and enjoyed an afternoon at the hammam! Unforgettable!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/20.htm

Syria: Bosra

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Bosra, once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, was an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mecca. A magnificent 2nd-century Roman theatre, early Christian ruins and several mosques are found within its great walls."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

We visited Bosra near the end of our three week trip, so I was already so overwhelmed by all the things that we had seen, that I was not as impressed as with other UNESCO sights. Still, the huge theater made of black stone was quite impressive, I must say!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/22.htm

Syria: Aleppo

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Located at the crossroads of several trade routes from the 2nd millennium B.C., Aleppo was ruled successively by the Hittites, Assyrians, Arabs, Mongols, Mamelukes and Ottomans. The 13th-century citadel, 12th-century Great Mosque and various 17th-century madrasas, palaces, caravanserais and hammams all form part of the city's cohesive, unique urban fabric, now threatened by overpopulation."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Aleppo is such a lively city - I enjoyed it a lot! I love to think back of climbing up to the citadel and meet many many school children who gave us flowers and tried to talk with us! Going shopping in the souks was another highlight!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/21.htm

Jordan: Petra

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Inhabited since prehistoric times, this Nabataean carava-city, situated berween the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

I have no words to describe this fabulous place! We spent two days there, just walking around, looking here and there, enjoying the buildings, but also the wonderful rocks and the way that nature has painted them. Absolutely fantastic!

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/326.htm

Jordan: Desert Castle Q'useir Amra

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee:

"Built in the early 8th century, this exceptionally well-preserved desert castle was both a fortress with a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs. The most outstanding features of this small pleasure palace are the reception hall and the hammam, both richly decorated with figurative murals that reflect the secular art of the time."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

The artwork inside the Desert castles was outstanding - like the description says! Seeing those fortified castles from the outside never lets you think of such a fine interior.

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/sites/327.htm