Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited capital
in the world. During the third millennium B.C., it
developed a political culture. At the end of the
second millennium B.C., the Aramean established their
kingdom. In 661 A.D., it became the capital of the
first Arab state at the Umayyad period.
Its Arabic
name is Halab
Aleppo
plays a vital role in the history of the area since the
time of the Acadians and the Amorites. Situated on the
silk road, Aleppo is a platform of meetings and exchanges
between the East and the West. It has the most beautiful
markets (souks) in the world, superb khans, numerous
churches and very nice Koranic schools. Its public bathes
are reputed. Its citadel is magnificent.
Hama
is the oldest city in the world. It was a prosperous
kingdom during the Aramean period. The city is famous for
its beautiful water wheels (Norias) and green orchards
round it. The most important monuments in Hama are: the
Great Mosque, Abil-Fida mosque, Al-Nouri mosque and Al-Azem
palace.
Homs
is the third important city in Syria. It was called Emesa.
It witnessed several civilizations: the Canaanites, the
Amorites, the Hittites, it was conquered by Alexander the
Great, the Seleucids, and the Romans until 636 A.D. when
it became part of the Islamic Empire. The discovered
traces of man in this county date back to the stone age.
Stone tools were found on the banks of the Orontes.
Throughout the centuries, it lost most of its
magnificence.
Its Arabic
name is Tadmor
Plamyra is an emerald in a golden case, an oasis in the
heart of the Syrian desert. Its unique situation helped it
became the most important center for caravans traveling
between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. It was
inhabited by the Canaanites, the Arameans, then the
Romans. In the third century A.D., its queen Zenobia
rebels against Rome and makes of Palmyra an architectural
jewel. Palmyra is one of the most beautiful sites in
Syria. To see the sunrise over its ruins is a must.
