Old Damascus

PLACES TO VISIT

60 places in Old Damascus

Abdullah Pasha al-Azm Mosqueجامع عبد الله باشا العظمMosqueOttoman mosque endowed by Abdullah Pasha al-Azm, of the dynasty of governors that ruled 18th-century Damascus.

al-Adiliyya al-Kubra Schoolالمدرسة العادلية الكبرىSchool & LibraryThe great Adiliyya Madrasa (completed 1223), burial place of Sultan al-Adil and later seat of the Arab Academy of Damascus.

al-Dahdah Cemeteryمقبرة الدحداحCemeteryCemetery north of the old city where many late scholars of Damascus lie, including shaykhs of the 20th century.

al-Farisiyya Madrasa Mosqueجامع المدرسة الفارسيةMosqueMamluk-era madrasa-mosque founded as a school of Shafi'i law, its prayer hall still in use by the surrounding quarter.

Al-Hamidiyah SouqCovered MarketDamascus's central souq runs six hundred metres from the citadel toward the Umayyad Mosque. Beneath its arched iron roof, stalls trade in textiles, sweets, and ice cream pressed with pistachio.

al-Iman Mosqueجامع الإيمانMosqueModern congregational mosque in the Mazra'a district, one of central Damascus's busiest Friday mosques.

al-Jaqmaqiyya Schoolالمدرسة الجقمقيةSchool & LibraryMamluk madrasa of 1421 with a striking ablaq portal, now the Museum of Arabic Epigraphy.

al-Malik al-Zahir Bathhouseحمام الملك الظاهرLandmarkMedieval hammam named for al-Malik al-Zahir, still keeping the domed hot rooms of the Ayyubid bath tradition.

al-Na'ura Mosqueمسجد الناعورةMosqueOld-city mosque named for the waterwheel (na'ura) that once turned beside it on the Barada channel.

al-Nahhasiyya Khanqah Mosqueمسجد الخانقاه النحاسيةMosqueFormer Sufi khanqah (lodge) endowed by the coppersmiths' guild, later converted to a congregational mosque.

al-Nuri Bimaristanالبيمارستان النوريLandmarkTeaching hospital founded by Nur al-Din al-Zanki in 1154, among the great medieval bimaristans.

al-Nuriyya al-Kubra Schoolالمدرسة النورية الكبرىSchool & LibraryNur al-Din's great law college (1167) and his burial place — its honeycomb muqarnas dome over the street is a landmark of medieval Damascus.

al-Nuriyya Hadith Institute for Womenمعهد النورية للحديث للإناثSchool & LibraryWomen's institute of hadith studies attached to the Nuriyya tradition, training female scholars and teachers.

al-Sadat al-Mujahidin Mosqueجامع السادات المجاهدينMosqueOld mosque near the citadel whose name honours the 'lords of the holy warriors', restored under the Mamluks.

al-Sadat Mosqueجامع الساداتMosqueOld-city mosque of the 'Sayyids' — descendants of the Prophet's household — long a gathering place for the city's ashraf families.

al-Sanjakdar Mosqueجامع السنجقدارMosqueMamluk mosque founded by the standard-bearer (sanjakdar) Arghun in the 14th century, just west of the old city walls.

al-Shumaysatiyya Schoolالمدرسة الشميساطيةSchool & LibraryMedieval Sufi convent and school near the citadel, one of the earliest khanqahs of Damascus.

al-Tahdhib Institute of Islamic Educationمعهد التهذيب والتعليم الشرعيSchool & LibraryPrivate institute of Islamic education in Damascus offering structured study of Qur'an, law, and Arabic for young students.

al-Tawba Mosqueجامع التوبةMosqueThe 'Mosque of Repentance' in al-Uqayba, converted from a khan into a mosque by the Ayyubid ruler al-Malik al-Ashraf in 1234; famed for centuries of hadith teaching.

al-Umari Zawiyaزاوية العمريSufi LodgeSufi zawiya attached to the Umariyya complex in al-Salihiyya, hosting dhikr gatherings and lessons.

al-Zahiriyya Libraryالمكتبة الظاهريةSchool & LibraryThe Zahiriyya — Baybars's tomb-madrasa turned national library (1880), whose manuscript hoard made it the memory of Damascus.

Bab ToumaHistoric QuarterNamed for Saint Thomas, the gate opens onto lanes of jasmine, courtyard houses, cafés, and churches — the liveliest corner of the old city after dark.

Bilad al-Sham University — Sayyida Ruqayya Complexجامعة بلاد الشام مجمع السيدة رقيةSchool & LibraryCampus of Bilad al-Sham University for Shar'ia studies housed in the Sayyida Ruqayya complex, training imams and teachers.

Citadel of Damascusقلعة دمشقLandmarkThe Citadel of Damascus, an Ayyubid fortress rebuilt by al-Adil (1203–16) at the old city's northwest corner — unusual among citadels for standing on flat ground.

Dar al-Hadith al-Adiliyyaدار الحديث العادليةSchool & LibraryAyyubid hadith college of the Adiliyya complex, endowed under Sultan al-Adil, Saladin's brother.

Dar al-Hadith al-Ashrafiyyaدار الحديث الأشرفيةSchool & LibraryDar al-Hadith al-Ashrafiyya (1232), the Ayyubid academy where al-Nawawi taught; for centuries the most prestigious chair of hadith in Islam.

Dar al-Hadith al-Nuriyyaدار الحديث النوريةSchool & LibraryHadith college founded by Nur al-Din al-Zanki — the first institution in Islam devoted solely to the Prophet's traditions.

Hisham ibn Ammar Mosqueجامع هشام بن عمارMosqueMosque named for Hisham ibn Ammar (d. 859), Damascus's leading Qur'an reciter and hadith transmitter of his age and preacher of the Umayyad Mosque.

Mausoleum of Salah al-Dinقبر صلاح الدين الأيوبيMemorialIn a small garden against the north wall of the Umayyad Mosque stands the red-domed mausoleum of Salah al-Din, built three years after his death in Damascus in 1193.

Rawdat al-Ulama Cemeteryمقبرة روضة العلماءCemetery'Garden of the Scholars' — burial ground on Qasioun's slopes reserved for the ulama of Damascus.

Shrine of al-Husayn ibn Aliمشهد الحسين بن عليTomb & ShrineShrine within the Umayyad Mosque precinct marking where the head of al-Husayn, the Prophet's grandson martyred at Karbala in 680, was displayed and kept.

Straight StreetRoman ThoroughfareThe old east–west spine of Roman Damascus crosses the walled city from Bab al-Jabiyah to Bab Sharqi, past souqs, workshops, and a surviving triumphal arch.

Tomb of Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabiقبر عبد الرزاق الحلبيTomb & ShrineTomb of Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi (1925–2012), shaykh of the Umayyad Mosque and dean of the Hanafi jurists of Damascus in his time.

Tomb of Abu Shama al-Maqdisiقبر أبي شامة المقدسيTomb & ShrineTomb of Abu Shama (1203–1268), Damascene historian and Qur'an scholar whose 'Book of the Two Gardens' chronicled the reigns of Nur al-Din and Saladin. He was murdered in his home in al-Salihiyya.

Tomb of Ahmad Nasib al-Mahamidقبر أحمد نصيب المحاميدTomb & ShrineTomb of Ahmad Nasib al-Mahamid, shaykh of the Rifa'i line in Damascus and teacher of Qur'anic recitation.

Tomb of al-Zahir Baybarsقبر الظاهر بيبرسTomb & ShrineTomb of al-Zahir Baybars (1223–1277), the Kipchak slave who became Mamluk sultan, crushed the Mongols at Ayn Jalut, and broke the Crusader strongholds; buried in the Zahiriyya Library's domed hall.

Tomb of an Algerian Emirقبر أمير جزائريTomb & ShrineGrave of one of the Algerian emirs who followed Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri into Damascene exile after the French conquest of Algeria.

Tomb of Husayn Sa'biyyaقبر حسين صعبيةTomb & ShrineTomb of the Damascene shaykh Husayn Sa'biyya, a local teacher of the religious sciences.

Tomb of Ibn Asrunقبر ابن عصرونTomb & ShrineTomb of Ibn Abi Asrun (d. 1189), Shafi'i chief judge of Damascus under Saladin and author of influential legal works, buried in the madrasa he founded.

Tomb of Mahmud al-Rankusiقبر محمود الرنكوسيTomb & ShrineTomb of Mahmud al-Rankusi, Kurdish-born shaykh of the Naqshbandi order who taught on the slopes of Qasioun.

Tomb of Mu'adh ibn Jabalقبر الصحابي معاذ بن جبلTomb & ShrineShrine of Mu'adh ibn Jabal (d. 639), the young Ansari companion the Prophet sent to teach in Yemen, praised as 'the most knowledgeable of my community in what is lawful and forbidden'.

Tomb of Muhammad Abu al-Khayr al-Maydaniقبر محمد أبي الخير الميدانيTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Abu al-Khayr al-Maydani (d. 1961), shaykh of the Maydan quarter and mufti of the Hanafis in Damascus.

Tomb of Muhammad Adil Khurshidقبر محمد عادل خورشيدTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Adil Khurshid, an Ottoman-descended Damascene scholar and preacher.

Tomb of Muhammad al-Hashimiقبر محمد الهاشميTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad al-Hashimi (1881–1961), Algerian-born Shadhili master exiled to Damascus, where he became the order's foremost guide in the Levant and teacher of many of its modern shaykhs.

Tomb of Muhammad Hisham al-Burhaniقبر محمد هشام البرهانيTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Hisham al-Burhani (1932–2014), scholar of the Umayyad Mosque and professor of Islamic law at Damascus University.

Tomb of Muhammad Jamil al-Shattiقبر محمد جميل الشطيTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Jamil al-Shatti (1882–1959), last of the great Hanbali muftis of Damascus and historian of the Hanbali school.

Tomb of Muhammad Lutfi al-Fayyumiقبر محمد لطفي الفيوميTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Lutfi al-Fayyumi, Egyptian-descended Damascene scholar of jurisprudence and Arabic.

Tomb of Muhammad Lutfi Shukriقبر محمد لطفي شكريTomb & ShrineTomb of the Damascene shaykh Muhammad Lutfi Shukri, remembered as a preacher and teacher of the Qur'an.

Tomb of Muhammad Sa'id al-Burhaniقبر محمد سعيد البرهانيTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Sa'id al-Burhani (1894–1967), Daghestani-descended shaykh who taught for decades at the Tawba Mosque and guided the Naqshbandi path in Damascus.

Tomb of Muhammad Sa'id al-Halwaniقبر محمد سعيد الحلوانيTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Sa'id al-Halwani, head of a Damascene family of Qur'an reciters who preserved the city's readings through the late Ottoman era.

Tomb of Muhammad Salih al-Hamawiقبر محمد صالح الحمويTomb & ShrineTomb of Muhammad Salih al-Hamawi, Hama-born shaykh who settled in Damascus as a teacher of the religious sciences.

Tomb of Munir al-Kasmقبر منير الكسمTomb & ShrineTomb of Munir al-Kasm, 20th-century Damascene scholar and imam from a family of jurists.

Tomb of Nur al-Din al-Zankiقبر نور الدين الزنكي الشهيدTomb & ShrineTomb of Nur al-Din al-Zanki (1118–1174), the just sultan who unified Syria against the Crusaders, patron of schools and hospitals, and mentor of Saladin. His madrasa-tomb has a celebrated muqarnas dome.

Tomb of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist)قبر نبي الله يحيىTomb & ShrineShrine within the Umayyad Mosque said to hold the head of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist).

Tomb of Ruqayya bint al-Husaynقبر رقية بنت الحسينTomb & ShrineShrine of the infant Ruqayya, daughter of al-Husayn ibn Ali, said to have died in Yazid's prison after Karbala; rebuilt in the 1980s in Persian style with mirror-work and blue tile.

Tomb of Salim al-Masutiقبر سليم المسوتيTomb & ShrineTomb of Salim al-Masuti (d. 1888), Damascene Hanafi jurist and Sufi remembered for his asceticism.

Tomb of Shaykh Mujahidقبر الشيخ مجاهدTomb & ShrineGrave of a local saint remembered as Shaykh Mujahid, a place of quiet visitation in the old city.

Tomb of Sukayna bint al-Husaynقبر سكينة بنت الحسينTomb & ShrineShrine attributed to Sukayna bint al-Husayn, granddaughter of Ali famed in early Islam for her wit, beauty, and patronage of poets.

Tombs of Abd al-Wahhab & Abd al-Rahim Dibs wa Zaytقبر عبد الوهاب وعبد الرحيم دبس وزيتTomb & ShrineTombs of the brothers Abd al-Wahhab and Abd al-Rahim Dibs wa Zayt, Damascene Qur'an masters whose family name — 'molasses and oil' — recalls their ancestor's trade.

Umayyad Mosqueالجامع الأمويHistoric LandmarkOne of the oldest and largest mosques in the world, raised on a site of worship stretching back three millennia. Its marble courtyard and shimmering mosaics remain the centre of religious and cultural life in Damascus.

WITHIN A SHORT WALK

Also nearby

Measured on foot from the heart of Old Damascus — everything here is within about a fifteen-minute walk.

Azm PalaceOttoman Residence≈ 90 mBuilt for governor As'ad Pasha al-Azm, the palace is a masterwork of Damascene craft — banded stone, painted wood, and cool courtyards. It now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.

Khan As'ad PashaCaravanserai≈ 156 mThe largest caravanserai in the Old City covers 2,500 square metres along Al-Buzuriyah Souq. Light falls from nine domes into a single monumental hall of grey-and-white stone.

Tankiz Mosqueجامع تنكزMosque≈ 877 mTinkiz Mosque Built by Sayf al-Din Tinkiz al-Nasiri the deputy of the Mamluk Sultanate in Damascus, it was transformed by Ibrahim Pasha in his campaign in Syria, and it was later bombed and destroyed by France in their aggression on Damascu