“Damascus has seen all that has ever occurred on Earth and still she lives. She has looked upon the dry bones of a thousand empires, and will see the tombs of a thousand more before she dies. Though another claims the name, old Damascus is by right the Eternal City”

Mark Twain, in his book Innocents Abroad 1869

Only in Damascus would a visitor mistake a church for a mosque or a synagogue for a church. This is the capital of the world, where religions and civilisations have come together to give an example of human unity.

Damascus is the oldest living city in the world;

It is the capital of the Umayyad Empire, the biggest empire the world has ever seen;

It is where Saint Paul the Apostle got converted to and started spreading Christianity to the world;

It is where the head of John the Baptist is enshrined in the city’s main mosque;

It is the city of the “Street Called Straight”;

Damascus is also the capital and resting place of Salah Eddine;

It is the city whose religious harmony defeated the crusaders;

It is the city which many believe will see the return of Jesus Christ;

It is simply,

“Paradise on Earth”

Ibn Jubair, a famous 12th century Andalusian traveller

Frequently Asked Questions About Damascus