[Enfonebew]

You should notice on it a large streat in the middle and a pyramid-like building standing there.
It's Hotel Meridien, a giant modern building. I think architecture's pretty good here. Some of my favourites are a church next to the square of Abbasid dinasty, Ba'ath party's headquaters and the Palace of Justice. I'll attach the first thing, but I don't know if I can take a photo of the latter ones, for sure I will not share it here.
Left to the Meridien Hotel You can see a big yellow light; it's Umayyads' mosque.

[Amfdaaandhaq]

One of the things that have suprised me a bit is the specific shape of crosses here...

[gunhijala]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
You call that a 'giant modern building'...you've not been to too many big cities, have you? It's giant in damascean scale, that's what I've ment. Anyway...
An important part of Damascus is the Hamidiyya suq...

[gernica]

if You get all the way through it, You'll find yourself standing opposite to Umayyads' mosque. It stands on a place of a temple of Syrian god of storm, Hadad. After Roman conquest in I century BC it was turned into a temple of Jupiter. There are remains of it still present there. Later it was turned by emperor Theodosius the Great into a basilica of
St.John the Baptist After muslim conquest it was turned into a mosque. About year 705 caliph Al-Walid rebuilt inot what was claimed by some the first great achievement of Muslim architecture. Caliph obtained byzantine artisants that covered the mosque with mosaics showing imaginary building and trees (most of them were destroyed by fires). The mosque became a model for mosques all over the world.
You must be careful where You step, though, for the floor is covered with signs that pigeons like this place a lot.

[jdynwa]

Another head made a visit here. Up till today shia muslims make pilgrimages to this place because of head of imam Husayn, son of imam Ali. He was defeated by umayyad forces next to Karbala in Iraq, and his cut-off head was sent to umayyad capital - Damascus. While the head is now in Cairo, You can see on the photo shia women touching and kissing the place where it was once kept.

[Idorsearogele]

...and on the place where the treasure was kept

[OwdBKKHO]

More pics!

BTW., how's the security situation, can you be reported for taking photos of someone or something without permission?

[PetrZimin]

Originally posted by VetLegion
More pics!

BTW., how's the security situation, can you be reported for taking photos of someone or something without permission? I don't know. I'll tell You a story later on.
And now it's time for another great politician. It's one of many statues of Hafiz al-Asad, the ex-president of Syria. After his death his son, Bashshar al-Asad became the new president.

[JoZertekAdv]

One of the main problems of Syria under Hafiz al-Asad is the zionist threat. "Israel" occupies part of Syria known as Golan Heights. Moreover, it's annected it and filled it with colonists.
There are some polish UN forces which made it possible for me to see them. I will not post pictures of any military equipement or views, but I can post something else.
Here is me, two girls of my studies and very friendly polish soldiers.

[opergolon]

2

[Gubocang]

Originally posted by Heresson
One of the main problems of Syria under Hafiz al-Asad is the zionist threat. "Israel" occupies part of Syria known as Golan Heights.

[timmybrown]

Here is me in a helmet

[pirinosa]

Here's a sweet picture of one of polish soldiers and son of a polish diplomat.

[Grieryaliny]

Asad the elder a great politician?

[Roorseprate]

Another interesting place I've visited in Damascus is Ruqaya's mosque. Ruqaya (sp?) was a daughter of (already mentioned) imam Husayn. She was brought here after Karbala battle and has died, probably with someone's help, soon afterwards. There's a shia mosque dedicated to her. People in it are very friendly. Here's Ruqaya's tomb

[Lauramalina]

A dotter?

[iroxmxinau]

Ecthy, if You think it's propaganda wait till I'll write about some things teachers tell us during our lessons...

[Gilowero]

The IDF cowers in terror at Heresson's teddy croc!!!

[lopaayd]

2

[frequensearules]

Not far from Damascus there are several christian villages, and among them Saydnaya. it's of a great spiritual importance for christians, but muslims come to it as well. its name means either Our Lady or the hunting place. It is said that when emperor Justinian travelled across Syria he and his soldiers came around this place and became thirsty. Still, then Justinian saw an extremly beautiful gazelle, he chased it until it reached a source of a stream and then it changed into an icon of Mary the Virgin shining with great light. A bright hand reached out from it and a voice told Justinian that he should build a church to her in this place, and so he did.
It's said to be the second most holy place in the M.East after Jerusalem, especially since Jerusalem can't be reached by most of arab christians.
here is a part of female monastery, a very noble one, where the holy icon is kept.