"On the Road to Damascus" a Damascus Travel Page by Mcclovis

Ask the average person in my country about Syria and s/he might have a vague idea where Syria might be. A couple of alarm bells might also start ringing! Then replace the word Syria with the word Damascus and you can see the eyes glimmering with respectful recognition. In my opinion - and I share this view with many others - Damascus is at par with Jerusalem in many respects. It is a universally holy city.

The Bible narrates how St Paul was on his way to this city when he had a vision and was converted to the very religion he was trying to eradicate. The place where he was baptised by St Ananias and the window from which he escaped his prosecutors are still revered places in Old Damascus. The Umayyad Mosque has the relic of St John the Baptist who is referred to as Yahya by Muslims. This was the place where Pope John Paul II visited during his visit to Syria before he came to Malta. Muslims also believe that Jesus ('Aisa) will appear again at this Mosque at the end of the world.

Sayyida Ruqaya Mosque - see tips below