Syria, attractions: palaces, castles and museums

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The eastern state, which borders Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Israel and Lebanon, is the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria). The sights of this country have a thousand-year history. On this land there are many historical, architectural monuments left over from different civilizations. They have always attracted tourists from all over the world.

More recently, this country, which keeps ancient shrines, was visited by numerous pilgrims. But at the moment, this land is engulfed in the flames of a bloody war. Perhaps someone will say that now is not the time to talk about the sights of this region when its long-suffering people are dying or leaving their homeland. But we decided to tell you about them in the hope that soon this madness will end and tourists from all over the world will come to see how beautiful Syria is. Its sights are unique, many are under the protection of UNESCO. We will introduce you to some of them.

Damascus

The city that Syria is rightfully proud of. We will begin to study the sights of the country from Damascus, the capital of the Syrian Republic. The city is located on the banks of the Barada River. Historians believe that this is one of the oldest cities in the world. The first mention of it dates back to 2500 BC.

Its main sights include the city walls, which have seven gates leading to the Old City, and several more gates beyond. In addition, this, of course, is the largest Umayyad mosque in the country, numerous tombs and tombs, Salah ad-Din (mausoleum), the ruins of the temple of Jupiter, the city cathedral, the chapel of St. Paul, the Azem Palace, the most ancient madrasahs. Many temples keep the relics and ashes of saints, sacred relics, which are very dear to Syria. The sights of the city are its parks. The largest in the capital is Tishrin Park, in addition, you can take a walk along the shady alleys of Al-Sibbka, Aljahiz and others. Local markets always attract guests. The most famous of them are Bzuria and Souq al-Hamidiyya.

Krak des Chevaliers

Syria is famous all over the world for many historical buildings. Its sights, for example, such as this fortress, are considered to be monuments of international importance. That is why Krak des Chevaliers is listed by UNESCO.

This is the former residence of the Hospitallers, which was built on a high hill. The thickness of its outer walls is five meters. For protection, thirteen towers were built and, additionally, an inner wall separated by a moat. Up to five people could be here at the same time.thousand people.

In ancient times it was a formidable and reliable fortress, and today it is considered to be one of the most romantic castles. From the height of its walls you can admire the picturesque views. There is a cafe in one of the towers.

Qasr-ibn-Wardan

Many historians and researchers are attracted to Syria. Sights, the description of which is found in ancient documents, make it possible to judge how luxurious many of them were. This palace complex is among them.

It is located in the desert, not far from the city of Hama. Today it is ruins. Partially preserved are only the central courtyard, part of the stables, the facade of the palace and a small part of it, public baths, as well as a church with a nave. The complex was built in the 6th century as a defensive structure. Marble and bas alt were used for its construction. You can understand the purpose of each building by the images that are carved on the stones.

Umayyad Mosque

Many temples, cathedrals, churches and mosques have on its territory Syria. The sights, the photos of which we have posted below, are the shrines of the Syrian people. The Umayyad Mosque is the largest and oldest in the world. On its territory is the tomb of Salah ad-Din (he was the ruler of the country in the 12th century), as well as the relics of John the Baptist. There is also a chapel in which the relics of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad - Hussein are buried.

The place where the mosque is located has been reserved for the construction of religious buildings since ancient times. At first, the temple of Hadad was built here, then the temple of Jupiter, and even later - the temple of John the Baptist. The mosque is richly and beautifully decorated with onyx, marble, colored glass. The doors are open to believers of all denominations. The only requirement for visitors is to take off their shoes at the entrance.

Damascus: National Museum

Not only specialists are attracted by Syria (attractions). The National Museum of Damascus is located in the heart of the Syrian capital. Here are collected unique exhibits that belong to a variety of eras. For example, in the exhibition you can see the world's first alphabet, stone and marble sarcophagi, skeletons dating back to the Stone Age, very rare statues, letters and coins, jewelry and other antiques and artifacts. In one of the halls, the furnishings of a Syrian house are reproduced. But tourists especially like to visit the reconstructed ancient Dura-Europos Synagogue.

Syria, attractions: Railway Museum

He is one of the oldest in Damascus. A collection of "prototypes" of modern railway transport has been collected in a small open area. Among them there are even exhibits made of wood. Models of steam locomotives that remained in Syria from the British have also been preserved.

The exhibition, which has more than ten exhibits, is in need of restoration, whichcosts a lot of money. But the museum's management still does not charge visitors an entrance fee.

Sights of Syria. What to see in Syria?

Besides Damascus, there are many interesting and memorable places in the country. For example, Palmyra ("city of palm trees"). Once it was an influential ancient city, which was an important point on the Great Silk Road. Today it is a dead city located in the Syrian desert.

Several cities in the USA are named after him, and sometimes our St. Petersburg is also called Northern Palmyra. The local attractions include the ruins of ancient structures: the Bela temple complex, which is surrounded by a high wall, a trading square, a colonnade, a theater, baths, residential buildings, a triumphal arch, the Palmyra tariff (stele) and much more.

On the territory of Palmyra, archaeological excavations were started only in the 19th century and they continue to this day. In addition to the picturesque ruins, there is a small residential settlement and a museum within the city limits. All buildings of Palmyra are under the protection of UNESCO.

Azem Palace

If you are interested in Syria (attractions), Azem Palace you should definitely see. This is one of the impressive secular buildings dating back to the period of Turkish domination. The complex harmoniously combines Arabic and Turkish architectural elements.

This palace allows you to look into the past. As required by Islamic customs, from the outside the building seems modest and rather simple. Tall, gray, completely undecorated claythe wall surrounds a huge (5500 sq. m.) area in the central part of the Old City, not far from the Umayyad mosque. But as soon as the visitor passes through the gate, a completely different world opens up before him, full of abundance, beauty, luxury.

The marble-tiled courtyard has large flower beds that are regularly maintained and citrus trees. They give shade, and fountains give such a welcome coolness in summer. On three sides, the courtyard is surrounded by a covered colonnade, from which you can go to the numerous rooms of the luxurious palace.

History of the Palace

This grandiose building was erected by the governor of the Turkish Sultan in the 18th century. For its construction, jewels from the houses of the local nobility were bought, and sometimes simply confiscated. Anyone who is lucky enough to see this palace will understand that the position of the governor in the old days was very profitable. This is probably why 130 governors have changed in Damascus in 180 years.

Tours

Interesting and instructive tours are held around the museum. In one of the rooms, such a scene is reproduced. On a soft low sofa, inaccessible and proud, the pasha sits. His head is decorated with a red fez. At a respectful distance from him, clerks and viziers settled down, awaiting orders. And all this is complemented by a magnificent design - the walls are lined with marble, the ceilings are two stories high … Even in the summer heat, the room is cool. In numerous niches and on consoles there are expensive faience dishes, fine products fromporcelain and glass.

In the next room you can see the scene of the bride preparing for the wedding. This room is also luxurious: inlaid furniture made by famous Syrian carpenters, a lot of beautiful dishes, carpets, expensive lamps…

Hamam Nureddin Shahir

Syria is of great interest to many tourists from different countries. Attractions (Hamam Nureddin al Shahir - the most famous in Damascus) are represented not only by museums, temples and palaces, but also by baths. We will tell about one of them further.

The object is located in the old city, not far from the Al Hamidiyah market. This hamam, which is almost a thousand years old, is still very popular today. More than ten attendants work here. The name "hamam" comes from the Arabic word "ham" - "heat". The Arabs borrowed the idea of a hamam from the Romans, and much later passed it on to the Turks.

Hamam Nureddin Shahir is open until 24:00. But the best time to visit it is in the morning. According to experts, the steam at this time of day is fresh, there is enough space, and the attendants are cheerful and work with full dedication. Women can visit the hammam only on Friday - a Muslim holiday.

Zakharia Madrasah

Syria makes a huge and vivid impression on tourists (attractions). Zakharia Madrasah is a mausoleum located in the capital of the country. Here rests one of the most famous sultans, who bravely fought in Palestine. His name is Baybars. Many are sure that he is buried in Cairo, but this is an erroneous statement. On theThere is also an archive and a school on the territory of the mausoleum. The building has recently been restored. Mosaics and drawings were restored on the walls. The archive of the mausoleum contains a huge collection of rare books (more than 200 thousand). The building was erected in 1266.