Several Locations, Palestine, Jordan & Syria The Umayyads were well known as prolific builders, especially in and around their capital city of Damascus. Taking advantage of the construction expertise of local Byzantine architects and masons, the Umayyads dotted the region with dozens of palaces and castles. While few of these early medieval structures are still standing, … [Read more...]
UMAYYAD MOSQUE (MASJID UMAYYAD)
Damascus, Syria Damascus was the first truly great metropolis of the Muslim world, the pilgrimage cities of Mecca and Medina notwithstanding, and it is the only place from which the entire Islamic Empire was ever ruled. During its century as the Umayyad capital, Damascus was one of the largest and most magnificent cities in the world. As wealth from Muslim conquests poured … [Read more...]
KHALID IBN AL-WALID MOSQUE (MASJID KHALID IBN AL-WALID)
Homs, Syria Khalid ibn Al-Walid may be one of the most underappreciated figures in Islamic history. As he never served as caliph, his historical importance is often overlooked. But it is quite possible that without the military genius of Khalid ibn Al-Walid, Islam might not have successfully spread beyond Arabia and Mesopotamia. He began his career as a ferocious opponent … [Read more...]
BAB AL-SAGHIR CEMETERY
Damascus, Syria The Bab Al-Saghir Cemetery in Damascus is actually a series of small graveyards located along the street known as the Bab Al-Saghir. Collectivelly they are the third most important cemetery of early Islam after the Maqbarat Al-Baqi in Medina and the Jannatul Mualla in Mecca, and a number of eminent, if lesser, personages are buried here. Although it is third … [Read more...]
OUR LADY OF LEBANON
Harissa, Lebanon In a region completed dominated by non-Christians, the Statue and Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon stand as a defiant reminder of Lebanon’s Catholic history. Outside of Israel and Palestine, it is probably the most popular Christian shrine between Europe and India. It is also one of the most visually stunning Christian sites in the Middle East. In addition … [Read more...]
DAMASCUS FORTIFICATIONS
Damascus, Syria The Fortifications of Damascus are among the oldest and most historic on the planet. Portions of its wall as well as some of its gates date back to Roman times, and the citadel that anchors the city’s northwestern defenses was expanded by Saladin and used as his headquarters in medieval times. The Damascus fortifications even made several appearances in the … [Read more...]
ALEPPO CITADEL
Aleppo, Syria The Aleppo Citadel is among the world’s oldest extent fortifications of any sort. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site of the citadel has been in use as a fortress for well over four thousand years. However, the Aleppo Citadel has passed through too many hands and has been rebuilt too many times to be considered the world’s oldest intact castle. … [Read more...]
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE OF ALEPPO
Aleppo, Syria For nearly three millennia, Syria boasted the oldest community of Jews outside of Israel. For most of this time, the center of Jewish life in Syria was city of Aleppo. The Central Synagogue of Aleppo is one of the world’s oldest, its original foundations having been established by the Israelite General Joab during the reign of King David in the 10th century … [Read more...]
CEDAR GROVES OF LEBANON
Becharre, Lebanon In the midst of the Holy Land’s countless venerated mountains, deserts, ruins and tombs, it is perhaps fair that there are at least a few sacred places that celebrate life. If there is any such place representative of the early kingdoms period, it is the fabled Cedar Groves of Lebanon. The cedar trees of Lebanon are mentioned many times in the Bible, most … [Read more...]
MOUNT NEBO
Madaba, Jordan Moses, the great leader and prophet of the Israelites, ended his illustrious career on the top of Mount Nebo, a stone’s throw away from the Promised Land. According to the Bible, it is also the last place he was ever seen, for he ascended directly to Heaven, one of the only Biblical figures to be so honored. Despite the fact that the site is considered to be … [Read more...]
