Damascus

About Damascus

Damascus makes a claim that few cities can match: it may be **the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world**. Archaeological evidence from nearby sites dates human settlement in the Damascus basin to approximately **9000 BC**; the city itself appears in written records from the 15th century BC, and has been continuously occupied — and continuously important — ever since. It was conquered by **Alexander the Great**, ruled by the Seleucids, absorbed into the Roman Empire, became the **capital of the Umayyad Caliphate (the first great Islamic empire) in 661 AD**, and for two centuries was the political and cultural capital of the Arab world, a city of extraordinary cosmopolitan vitality where Greek philosophy, Persian culture, and Islamic scholarship intermingled. At the heart of Damascus is the **Umayyad Mosque, built in 715 AD by the Caliph al-Walid I on the site of a Roman temple to Jupiter, which had itself been converted into the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist**. The mosque is said to **house the head of Saint John (known in Islam as Yahya), making it a site of reverence for both Muslims and Christians**. Its vast courtyard, mosaic-lined prayer hall, and three minarets represent a defining moment in Islamic architectural history. The covered **souk of Al-Hamidiyya, one of the oldest in the world**, leads directly to the mosque; the surrounding old city — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — contains Roman-era street plans, medieval Islamic architecture, and ancient Christian churches in the neighbourhood known as **Bab Touma** that exist in a density and continuity found nowhere else. **Syria has been devastated by civil war since 2011**, and Damascus — though less destroyed than cities like Aleppo and Homs — remains deeply affected. Most governments advise against travel to Syria, and tourism infrastructure has been severely disrupted. This entry reflects the extraordinary historical significance of a city that deserves far greater recognition than the conflict of recent years has allowed; it is included in the hope that peace and recovery will eventually allow Damascus to welcome the world again. **The ancient Old City, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, survived the war with less damage than feared and awaits restoration**.

Highlights

• ✦ One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world
• ✦ Umayyad Mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques
• ✦ Historic souks and the ancient Straight Street (Via Recta)

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Damascus right now?

No. As of the current advisories, virtually every foreign ministry, including the UK, US, and EU member states, advises against all travel to Syria, including Damascus, because of ongoing conflict, unstable security conditions and limited consular support. This guidance can change, so always check your own government's official travel advisory immediately before considering any trip, and do not rely on older or secondhand information. We are not describing a tourist route here because none can be responsibly recommended at this time.

Why is Damascus considered a historic wonder?

Damascus is widely regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with roots stretching back thousands of years and a rich layering of Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad and Ottoman history. The Umayyad Mosque and the old walled city, including its historic souks, are among its most significant landmarks. Its cultural and architectural heritage is precisely why the current situation is such a loss for access to it.

Can foreigners get a visa to visit Syria currently?

Visa policy has shifted amid Syria's political transition, and rules can change with little notice, so there is no stable, verifiable process to describe reliably here. Even where a visa might technically be issued, active travel advisories against all travel to the country take precedence over any visa availability. Check the latest guidance from your foreign ministry rather than travel forums for current, accurate information.

What happens to a landmark's tourism status during conflict?

Historic sites like the old city of Damascus remain culturally significant even when they are not safely visitable, and organisations such as UNESCO continue to monitor and document damage and preservation status. Tourism typically only resumes once security stabilises and infrastructure, consular support and insurance coverage return. Until then, learning about the site's history through books, documentaries and museum exhibitions is the realistic way to engage with it.

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• Syria
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