City: Damascus
Top Things to do in Damascus
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Things to do in Damascus, Syria: The Best Museums
Having survived thousands of years of successive civilizations from the Egyptians, Greco-Romans, Muslims, Crusaders, Mongols, Ottomans and French to the modern Arab era, Damascus is one of the most resilient and historic cities on Earth. Its ruins lay up to 8 feet deep under its surface and the Old City is home to Roman era ramparts, gates, the Umayyad Mosque and legendary churches including the Chapel of St. Paul. Bab Sharqi and the Souk Medhat Pasha lay on a street dating to biblical times.
Restaurants in Damascus
1. Omayad Mosque
2. National Center for Visual Arts
3. Al Azem Palace (Palace of As'ad, Pasha al-'Azm)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By THOMASFROMDAMASCUS - Damascus, Syria
I can’t believe I had never completed a review for TripAdvisor.com on the Azm Palace in the Old City of Damascus. I have visited this fantastic site many times over the past forty plus years. My latest visit was a ‘real pleasure’ as a local group, ECHO, had reserved the Palace for a unbelievable Concert performance. The Syrian all female Orchestra called: “Mari Orchestra” perform a new suite for a Symphonic Orchestra by the Syrian Composer/Conductor called: Raad Khalaf. The suite production was called the “Spirit of Joy” and was composed of ten movements. This great social event by ECHO was over booked as many people I was told were turned away at the door, and a hundred extra chairs needed to brought out! I had never seen the Azm Palace packed with so many people, they have estimated that there were more than 1,200 to 1,300 people in attendance. What was also spectacular was the special lighting for that evening. It was truly a spectacular display and everyone seemed to really enjoy both the music and the lighting effects. If you do not know the Azm Palace it is located in the Old City of Damascus and is very close to the Umayyad Mosque. The palace was built in 1749 under the Ottoman Empire and was the private residence for As'ad Pasha al-Azm, the Ottoman governor of Damascus, and during the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon it housed the French Institute. It has been restored over the years and today is a must visit site within the ancient Old City of Damascus. I can’t wait to return during the day time to take additional photos of this splendid magnificent site! If you are in Damascus and have not had the pleasure of visiting the Azm Palace you must take the time…you will not be disappointed, trust me
4. Bimaristan an-Nuri
5. Army Museum
6. The National Museum of Damascus
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By benmignardi - Toronto, Canada
It is well worth a visit if you’re in Damascus. Very interesting and old artifacts. The exhibits are historically significant. And, there is much to see and learn. If you can arrange a tour guide, it would make the visit that much more educational. By the way, the Museum is next door to the Turkish Mosque and a cute little market.
