Damascus

Damacus, known in Arabic as Dimashq, is the capital and largest city of Syria. It is located in the southwestern part of the country along the Barada River and the Ghouta oasis. The city is widely regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in the world, with a history spanning several millennia.

Historically, Damascus has been a major crossroads of culture and commerce, linking the Mediterranean region with the Levant and the broader Arab world. It has been associated with the Aramaeans, the Roman and Byzantine empires, and the Islamic caliphates. In the 7th century, Damascus became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, and the Umayyad Mosque is among the world’s earliest large mosques. The city later came under Ottoman rule and remained an important regional center through the modern period, eventually becoming the capital of the modern Syrian state after independence from the French Mandate.

The Old City of Damascus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1979. It includes historic landmarks such as the Umayyad Mosque, the Citadel of Damascus, traditional souqs like Al-Hamidiyah, and a continuous urban fabric that features caravanserais, houses, mosques, and baths along the Barada River.

Damascus is associated with the historic craft of Damascus steel, a crucible steel renowned for its distinctive patterned blades, a term still used in reference to medieval weaponry and modern decorative steel. Today, Damascus functions as Syria’s political and administrative center, with institutions of government, education, and culture, though the city has faced disruption and damage during periods of conflict. Restoration and preservation efforts have been ongoing.