"Things to see in Damascus" Damascus by midnight_mike

Damascus Travel Guide: 822 reviews and 2,215 photos

The courtyard of Umayyad Mosque - Damascus
The courtyard of Umayyad Mosque
Damascus

The Syrian capital, four hours south of Aleppo, is a bustling city with a fascinating old town. The highlight of any trip to Damascus is the Umayyad Mosque and its surroundings.

Mosque has Christian, Roman roots
Roman pillars outside of Umayyad Mosque - Damascus

Roman pillars outside of Umayyad Mosque

Umayyad Mosque, built on the site of a Roman temple, was also once a church. It contains the spoils of an empire which ruled North Africa and part of Spain. Art lovers could spend hours gazing at the Sistine Chapel of golden mosaics in the courtyard. Inside the mosque, a shrine marks the spot where the head of John the Baptist is believed to be buried. Also reportedly buried here is the head of Imam Hussein, grandson of the prophet Muhammad and an important figure in Shi’a Islam.

The mausoleum of Saladin
Inside Umayyad Mosque - Damascus

Inside Umayyad Mosque

Just outside Umayyad Mosque lies the mausoleum of Saladin, one of the greatest Muslim rulers of the Crusades. Saladin’s army won a decisive battle against the Crusaders in 1187, leading to the removal of European forces from Jerusalem. Confusingly, there are two coffins for the beloved sultan. On an official visit in 1898, German leader Kaiser Wilhelm II could not believe that Saladin was buried in a simple wooden coffin. Wilhelm then paid for a marble coffin on par with Saladin’s status, but the body of the humble ruler was never moved.

  • Last visit to Damascus: Mar 2006
  • Intro Updated May 28, 2006
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Reviews (7)

The mausoleum of Saladin - Damascus The mausoleum of Saladin Things to Do (2)

Just outside Umayyad Mosque in Damascus lies the mausoleum of Saladin, one of the greatest Muslim rulers of the... more travel advice

Umayyad Mosque - Damascus Umayyad Mosque Things to Do (2)

Umayyad Mosque, built on the site of a Roman temple in Damascus, was also once a church. It contains the spoils of an... more travel advice

Visas for Syria - Damascus Visas for Syria Warnings and Dangers (1)

If you are mailing your passport to the Syrian embassy in the United States, you should know that it will take about... more travel advice

A happening place to drink in Damascus Nightlife (1)

If you go to Elissar for dinner, Marmar is a good place to go afterward. It offers a full-bar, including some very good... more travel advice

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