Ancient City of Damascus
Syria ·
Description
Damascus is humanity's memory written in mud brick and stone. Its covered bazaars have smelled of spices for millennia. The Umayyad Mosque, built on a Roman temple and Byzantine church, holds John the Baptist's head. Saint Paul walked Straight Street. Each layer of history reveals another even older.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Damascus is one of the world's oldest cities with continuous occupation since the third millennium BC. The Umayyad Mosque is one of Islam's oldest and most important. The souks preserve their medieval structure.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities with monuments from all eras.
It was inscribed in 1979 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi).
Check current situation; the Syrian conflict has caused significant damage since 2011.
The ancient Roman road mentioned in the Bible where Saint Paul regained his sight.
Said to contain John the Baptist's head, venerated by Christians and Muslims.