Syrian Arab Republic Old Damascus

The old city of Damascus stands as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban centres. Within its ancient walls, it holds a maze of narrow streets, traditional courtyard houses, lively souks, and monumental places of worship. The Great Umayyad Mosque rises at its heart, serving as both an architectural masterpiece and a spiritual landmark.

Layers of history shape its character, with Aramaean, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic influences visible in its gates, buildings, and street layout. Bab Touma and Bab Sharqi still mark the thresholds of the city, while Al-Hamidiyah Souk bursts with textiles, spices, and crafts, continuing Damascus’s legacy as a hub of commerce.

The quarters of Christians, Jews, and Muslims exist side by side, reflecting centuries of cultural coexistence. Courtyard houses, shaded by vines and cooled by fountains, showcase the elegance of traditional Damascene life.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city preserves a unique continuity of memory and identity. Despite pressures from modern development and the scars of recent conflicts, it lives on as a place where history, culture, and community intertwine.

Have several focal lengths with you, you may shot with open aperture and high ISO.

Everything is done by walking.