Damascus is Syria's
huge, bustling heartland. It's been considered for the title of history's
longest-inhabited, since the year 5000 B.C. was the era of the first recorded
settlement, but no one is certain if it is the oldest. At various times, many
cultures claimed this spot, but finally, in the year 635, the Omayyad Islamic
dynasty conquered the place. The city is separated between the more modern
metropolis, and the ancient Old City.
If you are traveling to see historical sites and are not interested in modern
commercialism, you might want to bypass the downtown area and disregard the
huge downtown with billboards, traffic jams and skyscrapers. That is not the
true feeling of Syria.
However, incase you decide to see the new city for its few attractions, here
are a few things you might want to check out:
Modern Damascus
Martyr's Square.
This is a great place to satisfy your rumbling stomach with a fusion of
restaurants and little places to stop and have a drink in the heat of day
National
Museum.
This is most likely the largest, most informative collection of Syria's
history you will ever see. Ancient pieces sit side-by-side with more
modern Islamic art. The National
Museum also boasts a beautiful
outdoor cafe
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Tekkiye Mosque. This religious
structure was finished in the mid 16th century by the great Suleiman and sports
the architectural grandeur of the Ottoman Empire. The
site has an unusual neighbor; a military museum showcasing ancient weaponry is
also located on the site