Some Syrian Cities and their Glory and History Prior to the War

posted on: Aug 10, 2020

By: Ala Abed-Rabbo/Arab America Contributing Writer

Syria, a country in Western Asia, adequately known as the Syrian Arab Republic. The name Syria is historically originated as a broader region. It is roughly equal with the Levant, known in Arabic as “al-Sham.”

March of 2011, the country faced a civil war with an armed conflict; many countries in the province and beyond involved militarily or otherwise. However, as explained by Ala Abed-Rabbo, Arab America contributing writer, before the war took place, Syria was a glorious nation with various beautiful cities.

Damascus, Syria

Damascus, Syria’s capital, one of the oldest cities in the world and the country’s largest city. “It is colloquially known in Syria as aš-Šām and titled the “City of Jasmine.”

Moreover, the city is the foremost cultural focus of the Levant and the Arab World.

Also, one of the biggest Khans in the old city was named after the great As’ad Pasha, who ruled the Syrian government between 1751-1752. This work has been defined as one of the best architecture pieces of the time and has presented caravans coming from Beirut, Aleppo, Baghdad, and many different cities during the Ottoman Era.

Also, the capital had an excellent reputation in the sword industry. The general consensus is that the blades were able to cut through steel material. Historians date the Damascene sword back to the eighth era, where it was candied among fighters who protected the city from outside attacks.

Within the city, the monument (shown above), stands in the Umayyad square, which symbolizes the conquests, strength, and triumphs of the Syrians.

Damascus Continued

In addition, one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world is the Umayyad Mosque (shown in the video above) and known as the Great Mosque of Damascus. In 706, construction occurred on the site of the Byzantine Cathedral. It also has the Mausoleum tomb, known as the medieval Muslim “Ayyubid Sultan Saladin.”

Many believe that the Umayyad Mosque example enthused the construction of the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, Al Azhar Mosque in Cairo, and the Bursa Grand Mosque in Turkey.

Al-Hamidiyah Souq (shown in the video above), is the largest and the central place to the souk in Damascus. It is set inside the old fenced city beside the Citadel. It starts at Al-Thawra street and ends at the Umayyad Mosque plaza.

Mount Qasioun (jabal qasioun), (shown in the image above), is a mountain overseeing the city of Damascus. It has many restaurants to enjoy a meal while viewing the whole city, and its highest point is 1,151 meters.

Aleppo, Syria

Aleppo, the original ancient name, Halab, is a city in Syria. It serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, which is the most populated Syrian governorate. “Aleppo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world; it may have been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.” 

For periods, Aleppo was the biggest city in the Syrian district and the Ottoman Empire’s third-largest after Constantinople and Cairo. The city’s implication in history has been its geography location at one end of the Silk Road. This went through Central Asia and Mesopotamia.

Aleppo is considered with mixed architectural styles since it has been ruled by and among other cultures, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuqs, Mamluks, and Ottomans. Within the city, there are different types of constructions from the 13th and 14th centuries, such as Caravanserais, Quranic Schools, hammams, and religious buildings.

Moreover, the city had 177 hammams during the medieval period right before the Mongol conquer. It was at this time in which the destruction of many ancient structures occurred.

Also, The Citadel of Aleppo is a large medieval fortified palace. It is located in the midpoint of the old city and is one of the oldest and largest castles in the world.

Aleppo Continued

Bab al-Faraj (Gate of Deliverance), shown in video above, and known as Bab al-Faradis was one of the nine central openings of the ancient city walls of the city, constructed by Az-Zahir Ghazi and later modernized by An-Nasir Yusuf. “The Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower is one of the main landmarks of Aleppo.” 

Besides, founded in 1931, The National Museum of Aleppo is the largest in the city. It is located on Baron Street, next to to the well-known Baron Hotel and close to Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower.

The museum dedicated most of the displays to the archaeology of Syria. Most of the discoveries come from archaeological sites of the northern part of the country.

Homs, Syria

Homs, located in western Syria, known before Islamic Syria as “Emesa”. It is the capital of the Homs Governorate and the third famous city in the nation. For nearly 2,000 years, it has served as a critical agricultural marketplace, production spot, and trade center. It is mainly for for the tiny towns of northern Syria.

Moreover, the Krak des Chevaliers, “the Crusader Palace” is one of the most significant conserved medieval castles in the world. Initially called the Castle of Kurds, colonizers conquered it during the 11th century. In 2006, UNESCO recognized it as a world heritage place.

Also, Homs is famous for its historic mosques and churches and is familiar by its two public clocks, The New Clock Tower (built-in 1957) and The Old Clock (elevated by the French in 1923) each located at the end of Quwatli Street.

Also, “The Um al-Zennar Church (Church of the Virgin’s Girdle) was built in 1852 atop an earlier church dating back to the 4th century, and perhaps 59 AD.”

Syria is an old civilization with a long cultural history. The country became a battleground for numerous foreign empires. These include the Egyptian, Hittite, Mitanni, Middle Assyrian Empires, and to a lesser degree Babylonia. However, the nation and most of its people remain to preserve the beauty of the land. As for others, their goal is to learn about its historical glory and pride.

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