Considered the first monumental work of architecture in Islamic history, the Umayyad Mosque (also called the Great Mosque of Damascus) is a melting pot of different faiths. It houses the mausoleum of John the Baptist -- which is said to contain his head -- as well as the tomb of Hussein ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and an important figure in the Shiite tradition. Its rectangular layout, Roman arches, and Corinthian columns became a prototype for mosques around the Islamic world, influencing structures from Cairo to Istanbul.
During his reign as caliph in the eighth century, it is said that al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik addressed Damascenes thusly: "Inhabitants of Damascus, four things give you marked superiority over the rest of the world: your climate, your water, your fruits, and your baths. To these I wanted to add a fifth: this mosque." The above photo captures the Great Mosque's entrance circa 1920.
Library of Congress
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WINSTON BLAKE
7:26 PM ET
August 5, 2011
Photo essay of my own...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2qAFaev6pc
MYSTIKIEL
8:45 PM ET
August 7, 2011
The photo at page 4 of this essay
is a stereoscope image, which were quite in vogue around the turn of the century. If you scale down the image in your browser you can view it in 3D, using the same technique used for viewing 3d "magic dot" pictures - try to focus your eyes past the level of the image, so that the two images overlap and become superimposed in your vision.
ARNAOLDANNO
12:04 AM ET
September 6, 2011
beautiful ancient city
Very beautiful ancient city. I'd like to visit Damascus. Only time will need to choose quieter. Photos are very luxurious - I'll make them 3D wallpaper for my desktop
QUERTHE
11:03 AM ET
August 8, 2011
I would love to visit
I would love to visit Damaskus before my life ends. Hopefully I will manage it.
Anyway thanks for this great article with lovely old photos!
Regards
Matthew Lorty
HAFIZI84
11:53 AM ET
September 5, 2011
unique of Damascus
Great history of Damascus..Really awesome.Thanks for this article.apple iphone 5
JOHNNY23
5:02 PM ET
September 19, 2011
Wow.
Amazing pictures of Damascus. Its amazing to think how much that city has seen, so many wars, so many stories... but so much history!
Bill,
stink bugs
NORMAN
7:27 AM ET
September 23, 2011
Damascus
The city of Damascus has indeed a troublesome history. However, these pictures evoke times of relative calmness and even somewhat romanticism. I would have really liked to visit the city in those days, although I wouldn't pass on this occasion even today. asigurare locuinta
JEFFERSONMAN
11:51 PM ET
September 30, 2011
Borrowed time
I look at these photos and i see a beautiful city, however according to Isaiah 17:1, Damascus will be gone one day soon. Still though, a beautiful city