Damascus Off The Beaten Path Tips by MM212 Top 5 Page for this destination

Salihiyya - Mosque & Mausoleum of Mohi al-Din

Located in Salihiyya Quarter, this early Ottoman mosque was built in the 16th century in a mix of Ottoman, Mamluke and Syrian styles. Attached to the mosque is the Mausoleum of Mohi al-Din ibn al-Arabi, a famous 12th century Sufi mystic who was born in Andalusia. He was one of the early founders of Sufism and his tomb continues to be a pilgrimage site to this day. Attached are photos of the mosque and mausoleum. Notice the recycled Corinthian columns in the mosque's hypostyle prayer hall.

Abu Roummaneh

For a different experience when visiting Damascus, jump in a taxi one afternoon and ask the driver to take you to Abu Roummaneh. It is a high end residential neighbourhood with numerous European clothing shops (e.g. Benetton and Morgan), cafés and restaurants. The neighbourhood's location closer to Jabal Qassioun ensures strategic views of the mountain and its hanging suburbs. If the weather is nice, some cafés offer outdoor seating where you could see and be seen by some Damascene bourgeoisie. Attached are some photos of the neighbourhood.

Daytrips from Damascus

There are many destinations outside of Damascus that one could (must) visit when in Damascus. The options are plenty, but some can be done in a day, others require an overnight stay. Examples include Ma'aloula, Sednaya, Bosra, Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, and of course, glorious Beirut, among many others. Public transportation is available between Damascus and these destinations, though the best way to travel is with a local driver. If you feel like some adventure, renting a car and driving yourself is also an option (buy a road map in advance!). Attached are photos of the scenic arid and mountainous countryside surrounding Damascus

Salihiyya Quarter

Located at the foothills of Mount Qassioun, the Salihiyya neighbourhood was built in the 12th century to house refugees escaping the Crusader invasion of Jerusalem. It later provided refuge to other escaping minorities, such as Kurds and Cretan Moslems. What started as a small village outside Damascus evolved into an old city with architecturally notable madrassas, mausoleums and mosques from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The expansion of modern Damascus has made Salihiyya a mere neighbourhood in the large metropolitan city. If you are in Damascus for a few days, it is worth taking this diversion to see another "Old Damascus" with narrow alleys, a smaller local souk, and impressive architecture. Attached are photos of Salihiya.