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.
Its Arabic
name is Dimashq or Sham.
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 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.
Bosra is
the most important Roman site in Syria because of
the magnificent and exceptionally intact Roman
theatre. Bosra has played an important role in
exchanges with Egypt in the bronze age. It is
mentioned under the name of Bosrana in the archives
of the 18th pharaonic dynasty. After the 7th century
A.D. however, Bosra lost of its importance and its
destiny is hardly known.
Its Arabic
name is Afamia.
It was founded
by Saluqos Nikator’s who named it Apamea after his
wife’s name. It symbolizes the encounter of the two
civilizations: Greek and Syrian. It is famous for the
intellectuals it attracted, its ruins which are
outstanding beautiful, and it is also famous for its old
stables.
