"Wellcome to Syria" a Syria Travel Page by cancon

An old covered market in Damscus famous for fruits and vegetabls in the heart of Bahsa near -Marja Square -Down Towen (Unfortunatly the market has been moved to other place now it is a small puplic garden instead )

The olive is native to the Mediterranean region and various parts of Africa. its development being one of civilized man's first accomplishments. In Crete and Syria archeological evidence suggest that olives were being grown as long ago as 2,500 B.C. From Crete and Syria olives spread to Greece, Rome and other parts of the Mediterranean area.

One of Syria's most graceful mosques is Takiyyeh as-Sulaymaniyyeh, just south of Barada River. Designed in Ottoman style in 1554, it features alternating layers of black and white stone and two slender minarets. The National Museum, also south of the river, is worth at least one visit. The museum's facade was once the entrance to the Qasr al-Hayr al-Ghabi, an ancient military camp. Inside is a fantastic array of exhibits, including written cylinders from the 14th century BC that use the world's first known alphabet, statuary from Mari that's over 4000 years old, two halls full of marble and terracotta statues from Palmyra, Damascene weapons, old surgical instruments from surgeons' graves, a collection of 13th century Qur'ans and a complete room decorated in the style of the 18th century Azem Palace.

The epicentre of Damascus' charm is its Old City, surrounded by a Roman wall. The city's main covered market is the Souq al-Hamadiyyeh, a cobbled street of bustling crowds, hawkers and high-octane haggling. Opposite the end of the market is the Omayyad Mosque. Built in 705 on the site of ancient temples and a Christian cathedral, the mosque was designed to be the greatest ever. Despite being gutted in a fire in the 19th century, it's still a jewel of Muslim architecture, with several gorgeous mosaics and three original minarets.