Syria, May 2024

Damascus

Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria. Situated in south-western Syria the city had an estimated population of 2,503,000 in 2022. The city is believed to have been continuously inhabited since around  3000 BC and is today considered to be the oldest current capital in the world. Damascus is a major cultural centre of the Levant and the Arab world. The Ancient City of Damascus is a UNESCO Site. The city was severely impacted by the Syrian Civil War that began in 2011 with some suburbs becoming battlegrounds between the opposition groups and government forces. The entire city was recaptured by Syrian government forces in 2018.

Saturday, 18th May 2024

Tony stood in front of the altar inside St Ananias chapel located near the Eastern Gate (Bab Sharqi) in the ancient part of Damascus. This ancient underground structure is said to have once been the home of Ananias of Damascus: he was a disciple of Jesus, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, who baptised Saul commonly known as Paul the Apostle. The room is lined with stone with an arched ceiling with holes to let in light. The stone altar is covered with a cloth. Three bronze relief panel are attached to the wall behind depicting Biblical scenes. Archaeological excavations in 1921 found evidence of a 5th or 6th century Byzantine church here, adding support to the tradition that the chapel has an early Christian origin.
Tony stood in front of the altar inside St Ananias chapel located near the Eastern Gate (Bab Sharqi) in the ancient part of Damascus. This ancient underground structure is said to have once been the home of Ananias of Damascus: he was a disciple of Jesus, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, who baptised Saul commonly known as Paul the Apostle. The room is lined with stone with an arched ceiling with holes to let in light. The stone altar is covered with a cloth. Three bronze relief panel are attached to the wall behind depicting Biblical scenes. Archaeological excavations in 1921 found evidence of a 5th or 6th century Byzantine church here, adding support to the tradition that the chapel has an early Christian origin.
Tony stood with Michael from Tennessee in the courtyard of St Ananias chapel.
Tony stood with Michael from Tennessee in the courtyard of St Ananias chapel.
Tony in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of St Ananias chapel with a door leading to the chapel itself on the right. This site was reclaimed as a chapel and restored in the 19th century. While now underground, it is thought the rooms of the chapel were located at ground level in Roman times.
Tony in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of St Ananias chapel with a door leading to the chapel itself on the right. This site was reclaimed as a chapel and restored in the 19th century. While now underground, it is thought the rooms of the chapel were located at ground level in Roman times.
A closer view of the Virgin Mary statue at St Ananias chapel. It sits inside in a freestanding stone alcove covered with pale blue cloth.
A closer view of the Virgin Mary statue at St Ananias chapel. It sits inside in a freestanding stone alcove covered with pale blue cloth.
A narrow street in the Old City of Damascus. The street is made even narrower by several parked cars. A group of locals can be seen talking as well as tourists walking along. The upper storeys of some of the buildings overhang the street. This is possibly Straight Street, originally the main east-west Roman road running through Damascus. It is mentioned in the New Testament as 'the Street called Straight'.
A narrow street in the Old City of Damascus. The street is made even narrower by several parked cars. A group of locals can be seen talking as well as tourists walking along. The upper storeys of some of the buildings overhang the street. This is possibly Straight Street, originally the main east-west Roman road running through Damascus. It is mentioned in the New Testament as ‘the Street called Straight’.
Tony stood at a traditional large heavy wooden front door with decorative metalwork in the Old City of Damascus.
Tony stood at a traditional large heavy wooden front door with decorative metalwork in the Old City of Damascus.
Tony outside a small shop in the Old City of Damascus. The shop appears to be selling gifts and souvenirs including craft and religious items.
Tony outside a small shop in the Old City of Damascus. The shop appears to be selling gifts and souvenirs including craft and religious items.
Tony with a smiling local man who is selling coffee from a large metal jug. He is wearing a red and gold fez or tarboosh hat. There are high stone walls and a large wooden door in the background.
Tony with a smiling local man who is selling coffee from a large metal jug. He is wearing a red and gold fez or tarboosh hat. There are high stone walls and a large wooden door in the background.
A stone arch that once formed an entrance to the Roman Temple of Jupiter in Damascus. These ruins today function as the eastern entrance to Al-Hamidiyah Souq. Construction of the Temple of Jupiter began under the rule of emperor Augustus in the first century BC and it was completed under Constantius II in the fourth century AD. When completed the temple was renowned for its size and beauty. Today only fragments survive. Inside the entrance arch, the photo shows a stone column and smaller arches that contain market stalls. Al-Hamidiyah Souq is the largest souk (or market) in Syria. It is a covered street that runs for 600 metres (2,000 ft) through Damascus's Old City.
A stone arch that once formed an entrance to the Roman Temple of Jupiter in Damascus. These ruins today function as the eastern entrance to Al-Hamidiyah Souq. Construction of the Temple of Jupiter began under the rule of emperor Augustus in the first century BC and it was completed under Constantius II in the fourth century AD. When completed the temple was renowned for its size and beauty. Today only fragments survive. Inside the entrance arch, the photo shows a stone column and smaller arches that contain market stalls. Al-Hamidiyah Souq is the largest souk (or market) in Syria. It is a covered street that runs for 600 metres (2,000 ft) through Damascus’s Old City.
Looking up at a tall minaret, one of three belonging to Umayyad Mosque. This is the Minaret of Qaytbay built on the orders of Sultan Qaytbay in 1488. The minaret is octagonal in profile and has three galleries. Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. The site began as a place of worship in the Iron Age, later becoming part of the Roman Temple of Jupiter, and then a Christian cathedral in the 4th century AD. After the Muslim conquest of Damascus in 634, part of the cathedral became a small prayer house. The whole of the building became a mosque in the early 8th century AD. According to tradition it is the burial place of John the Baptist's head.
Looking up at a tall minaret, one of three belonging to Umayyad Mosque. This is the Minaret of Qaytbay built on the orders of Sultan Qaytbay in 1488. The minaret is octagonal in profile and has three galleries. Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. The site began as a place of worship in the Iron Age, later becoming part of the Roman Temple of Jupiter, and then a Christian cathedral in the 4th century AD. After the Muslim conquest of Damascus in 634, part of the cathedral became a small prayer house. The whole of the building became a mosque in the early 8th century AD. According to tradition it is the burial place of John the Baptist’s head.
Tony stood in the main courtyard of Umayyad Mosque. Behind is the large doorway into the prayer hall. The facade above is decorated with mosaic decoration mostly in gold and green. The mosque's mosaics originate from the 8th century, but were extensively reconstructed during the 20th century. The Dome of the Eagle can be seen on the roof above. This is the mosque's main dome: it was rebuilt following a large fire in 1893. The whole mosque is rectangular in shape and measures 97 metres (318 ft) by 156 metres (512 ft).
Tony stood in the main courtyard of Umayyad Mosque. Behind is the large doorway into the prayer hall. The facade above is decorated with mosaic decoration mostly in gold and green. The mosque’s mosaics originate from the 8th century, but were extensively reconstructed during the 20th century. The Dome of the Eagle can be seen on the roof above. This is the mosque’s main dome: it was rebuilt following a large fire in 1893. The whole mosque is rectangular in shape and measures 97 metres (318 ft) by 156 metres (512 ft).
Tony stood in the courtyard of the Al-Azm Palace, located in the Old City in Damascus. The walls of the palace are two and three storeys in height and are adorned with decorative stonework with a striped pattern of dark and light stone. The courtyard contains tall mature trees and plants in containers. The palace was built in 1749 when Damascus was under Ottoman rule. It was originally the residence of the governor of Damascus, As'ad Pasha al-Azm. The palace remained in the ownership of the Azm family until 1920, when it was sold to the French. Following Syrian independence in 1946 it was sold to the Syrian government in 1951 and today houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
Tony stood in the courtyard of the Al-Azm Palace, located in the Old City in Damascus. The walls of the palace are two and three storeys in height and are adorned with decorative stonework with a striped pattern of dark and light stone. The courtyard contains tall mature trees and plants in containers. The palace was built in 1749 when Damascus was under Ottoman rule. It was originally the residence of the governor of Damascus, As’ad Pasha al-Azm. The palace remained in the ownership of the Azm family until 1920, when it was sold to the French. Following Syrian independence in 1946 it was sold to the Syrian government in 1951 and today houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
Tony inside the Al-Azm Palace. He is standing between marble columns and there is a window behind fronted with decorative metalwork.
Tony inside the Al-Azm Palace. He is standing between marble columns and there is a window behind fronted with decorative metalwork.
Looking up at the facade above a large arched doorway into the Al-Azm Palace. Here the stonework incorporates elaborate geometric decoration.
Looking up at the facade above a large arched doorway into the Al-Azm Palace. Here the stonework incorporates elaborate geometric decoration.
Tony sitting in front of a small old-looking wooden door into the Al-Azm Palace. The small door appears to be contained within a larger door. The small door is about two-thirds of Tony's height.
Tony sitting in front of a small old-looking wooden door into the Al-Azm Palace. The small door appears to be contained within a larger door. The small door is about two-thirds of Tony’s height.
Inside the grand Reception Hall of the Al-Azm Palace. The walls and columns are decorated with striped stonework. Above are domes that contain windows around their sides. There appears to be a fountain in the middle of the room, but when the picture was taken it contained no water. Tony is in the foreground.
Inside the grand Reception Hall of the Al-Azm Palace. The walls and columns are decorated with striped stonework. Above are domes that contain windows around their sides. There appears to be a fountain in the middle of the room, but when the picture was taken it contained no water. Tony is in the foreground.

Sunday, 19th May 2024

Saida

Saida is a large village in southern Syria. At the time of the 2004 census it had a population of 11,215.

Inside a carpet shop in Saida. Many rolled carpets can be seen. Carpets are a traditional product of Syria going far back into history.
Inside a carpet shop in Saida. Many rolled carpets can be seen. Carpets are a traditional product of Syria going far back into history.
Tony inside the carpet shop in Saida. The wall behind is filled with rolls of colourful carpets stood on end with traditional designs.
Tony inside the carpet shop in Saida. The wall behind is filled with rolls of colourful carpets stood on end with traditional designs.

Bosra

Bosra is a town in southern Syria. The town had a population of 19,683 at the time of the last census in 2004. The town is today known for its major archaeological remains, which are known as the Ancient City of Bosra. Bosra began as a Nabatean city in the 2nd century BC and later became an important Roman city. It was the capital of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea and was strategically located on trade routes. Another important period of activity occurred during the Ayyubid Sultanate in the 13th century when fortifications were constructed.

Tony stood in front of a wrecked Russian tank in Bosra. The tank is sat on a reservation in the centre of a road.
Tony stood in front of a wrecked Russian tank in Bosra. The tank is sat on a reservation in the centre of a road.
Another view of Tony in front of the Russian tank. The tank's turret has been painted in red, blue and white, which are the colours of the Russian flag. A few members of Tony's tour party and locals can be seen on and around the tank.
Another view of Tony in front of the Russian tank. The tank’s turret has been painted in red, blue and white, which are the colours of the Russian flag. A few members of Tony’s tour party and locals can be seen on and around the tank.
A local Syrian boy sitting on the tank's main gun barrel.
A local Syrian boy sitting on the tank’s main gun barrel.
View of the side of the Russian tank including the metal "caterpillar" tracks and the wheels inside. The metal is rusting and grass is growing out of cavities in the side of the tank: it appears to have been broken down and abandoned for several years. Bosra was badly affected by fighting during Syria's ongoing civil war beginning in 2012. The town was taken by rebel forces in 2015 and was recaptured by Syrian government forces in 2018.
View of the side of the Russian tank including the metal “caterpillar” tracks and the wheels inside. The metal is rusting and grass is growing out of cavities in the side of the tank: it appears to have been broken down and abandoned for several years. Bosra was badly affected by fighting during Syria’s ongoing civil war beginning in 2012. The town was taken by rebel forces in 2015 and was recaptured by Syrian government forces in 2018.
Members of Tony's tour group sitting on cushions under an outdoor roof shelter in Bosra. Stone walls, part of the remains of the Ancient City of Bosra, can vaguely be seen in the distance.
Members of Tony’s tour group sitting on cushions under an outdoor roof shelter in Bosra. Stone walls, part of the remains of the Ancient City of Bosra, can vaguely be seen in the distance.
View from the stage inside the large well-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Bosra. The theatre was built during the second century AD. It measures 102 metres across and has seating for 17,000 people. The theatre was restored between 1947 and 1970. Previously the interior was filled with sand which helped to preserve it. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site covering the Ancient City of Bosra.
View from the stage inside the large well-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Bosra. The theatre was built during the second century AD. It measures 102 metres across and has seating for 17,000 people. The theatre was restored between 1947 and 1970. Previously the interior was filled with sand which helped to preserve it. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site covering the Ancient City of Bosra.
Tony stood outside the Citadel in the Ancient City of Bosra. There is a big entrance doorway in the background built from large basalt stone blocks. The bases of ruined Corinthian Columns stand in front. The Citadel includes the Roman theatre which was later fortified with walls and towers to guard the road leading to Damascus between 481 and 1251 AD during the Islamic era.
Tony stood outside the Citadel in the Ancient City of Bosra. There is a big entrance doorway in the background built from large basalt stone blocks. The bases of ruined Corinthian Columns stand in front. The Citadel includes the Roman theatre which was later fortified with walls and towers to guard the road leading to Damascus between 481 and 1251 AD during the Islamic era.