EXPLORE SYRIA
دمشق
Damascus is Syria’s capital and one of the great historic cities of the region. Its identity has been shaped by ancient trade routes, faith, scholarship, craftsmanship, architecture, family life, and generations of people who made the city their home.
The historic heart of the city is known for its narrow lanes, traditional courtyard houses, markets, places of worship, and layers of architecture from many periods. Landmarks such as the Umayyad Mosque, Straight Street, and the old souqs reflect the city’s long and complex history.
Qasioun rises above Damascus and has long been part of the city’s visual identity. From its slopes, the city spreads across the plain below, making the mountain a familiar symbol of Damascus for residents, visitors, and Syrians abroad.
Damascus is not only a collection of monuments. Its culture lives through food, music, crafts, family traditions, neighborhoods, gardens, cafés, markets, and the everyday memories of the people who have lived there across generations.
Beyond the Old City, Damascus is a modern capital made up of many districts and communities. Its contemporary story includes education, business, art, migration, social change, hardship, resilience, and the continuing relationship between Syrians and their capital.