When was damascus founded

A shrine reported to house the head of John the Baptist lies inside the mosque walls. A modern by Damascene standards piece of history can be found in Souq al-Hamidiyya, where an ancient street was converted into a lively covered market during the lateth-century Ottoman era.

Traditional Damascene homes are often unassuming from the street, but their interiors, built around lush courtyard gardens, are artistic and architectural treasures often filled with fine things.

Some outstanding examples are open to the public, such as the midth-century Azem Palace, built for the governor of Damascus but now home to the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions. The ancient section of Damascus has seen populations decrease in recent years as residents seek more modern housing.

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Epic floods leave South Sudanese to face disease and starvation. Travel 5 pandemic tech innovations that will change travel forever These digital innovations will make your next trip safer and more efficient. But will they invade your privacy? Go Further. The three naves are also crossed by a lofty transept, carrying a large truncated dome. All parts were covered with fine marble and embellished with mosaic. The mosque has 4 doors: Al-Kallassa in the north, Jayrun in the east, Al-Brid in the west, and Al-Ziyada in the south known today as the goldsmiths'.

John the Baptist , in the eastern hall. Apart from being one of the finest examples of Muslim architecture, the Great Mosque of Damascus has founded the original principles of its innovated concepts.

For it was the first mosque in Islamic history to feature such luxury and large size. Although this depended somehow on the ancient Syrian patterns, the touch of Muslim workmanship was still evident. Its rise marked the emergence of independent style of architecture and decorative art, helping thus to encarnate a new personality with a firm identity.

Moreover, it is beyond doubt the oldest extant mosque, allover the Islamic world. Another characteristic feature about this mosque, is that it was built upon a rectangular plan, instead of square.

While the tasteful Arabic touch of arched colonnade embodied an allure of elegance, which became afterwards one of the preliminary rules of Muslim architecture.

Several sovereigns through history were fascinated by this monument, thus the Caliph Suleyman built in Aleppo a meticulous replica. This claims no wonder, as it was an optimum assimilation for the core of Muslim civilization, including its new vision.

But what really individualizes the Mosque of Damascus, is its mosaic clad panels, made of millions of tiny cubes of glassware, stained or guilded, in lustrous drawings, depicting vivid landscapes and city views, the most renowned of which is the Barada panel, in the western portico. This fine art was a combined mixture of Persian and Roman elements. In the northern flank of the mosque, stands the mausoleum of a great Muslim sovereign: The glorious Sultan Saladin, who, during 19 years of his reign in Egypt and Syria, took the oath of fighting the Latin invaders, i.

After a long strife of fierce warfare, he could achieve a decisive victory over their troops, and was even able to capture their King and barons, in the battle of Hittin, A. This was shortly followed by the liberation of the holy city of Jerusalem, with other strongholds.

A few years later, Saladin bade Palestine farewell, to come back to his beloved childhood place, Damascus, where he died and was buried. Among many functional sections, the mosque contains four memorial halls, dedicated to the four successors of the Prophet Mohammad. The one located in the eastern side carried the name of Imam 'Ali, but later on it was called after his grandson, Zein Al-'Abidin, where a special cenotaph was devoted for the head of the martyr Al-Hussein b.

Within it are relics of John the Baptist. The present city walls, the Citadel, some mosques and tombs survive from the Middle Ages, but the greatest part of the built heritage of the city dates from after the Ottoman conquest of the early 16th century. This was once an important Christian center with a strong connection to early Christianity, especially through St.

Paul was famous converted on the road to Damascus. There are some sites connected to this story. First of all, there is the road itself, the Via Recta the Straight Street. At the end of the street, one can find what has traditionally been considered to be the House of Saint Ananias , who baptized St.

There is also the Chapel of St. Paul - a modern stone chapel in Damascus that incorporates materials from the Bab Kisan, the ancient city gate through which Paul was lowered out of a window.

It is said to have been the resident of St.