Omayyad Mosque, Damascus

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A larger expanse of mosaic also remains on the western arcade wall. Stretching some 37m in length, and executed in shades of green and lime on a background of gold, the mosaic depicts fairytale-like towers, domes and forests. This is the largely greenish design on the facade of the largest portion of the building. I was actually thinking that it must have been originally a christian building maybe because of the architectural design - but what do I know.

Damascenes believe that the mosaic design is the Barada Valley and the paradise, the prophet Mohammed saw in Damascus.

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The four sides of the rectangular courtyard seems to have its own interesting highlights.

Two-storey arched arcade can be found on the 3 sides of the courtyard. The fourth side is the front of the prayer hall, dominated by a central section covered with enchanting, shimmering, golden mosaics.

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...and then there's the stunning courtyard!

While looking at the historical mosque from inside the man prayer hall, I said, whre's the large shiny open air marbled plaza I saw on pictures? I followed the people getting out of a gate, and there it was -- I'm silently hearing children choir singing "Allelujah" , NO! it's just my mind. The shiny flooring that reflects the images of people stepping on it is so neat, you have to walk on you socks -- he, after all it's a not an easy task for the staff cleaning th huge courtyard.

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I walk along the Hamediyeh Souq and ended up in the grand entrance of the Umayyad Mosque where there are lots of activities going on - people selling stuff and food. The entrance fronting the end of the souq is closed so I went on the right side and it's open. So that's where people are entering the mosque. I think most of the entrances of the grand mosque are closed during the weekdays, so you'd better check the side entrances. I went there on my last day at the city and that was Friday and all the entrances are open.

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One of the oldest mosques in the world, the Umayyad mosque is located within the walls of the old city of Damascus. It is considered also the the 4th holiest place in Islam.

A visit to Damascus cannot be complete without seeing this monumental structure.

Even the Pope John Paul II have visited this mosque - first time for a pope to visit a mosque - to pay visit to the shrine of Str. John the Baptist which is located right inside the mosque where it is said that the head of the saint is kept inside the shrine.

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The Omayyed mosque ,build by Khalifa Al Walid, is reached by walking through the Humaidiya market, across the courtyard and then through a gate into the courtyard of the Mosque.
I had been outside on a previous visit but hadn't been into the courtyard. First you have to remove your shoes, and if not decently dressed you are given a cloak to cover your body. I always have a headscarf round my neck so had no problem.
Inside you see the two ablution fountains, and notice the arcades with green and gold mosaic .The facade too is of green and gold.
The brass doors at the entrance to the courtyard are impressive.
Inside the mosque buildings are some Shiite shrines, but we didn't go in. Nor did we have time to enter the mosque itself, though my husband had been previously.
It was worth going to see.

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The Ummayad Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque of Damascus (Arabic: جامع بني أمية الكبير, transl. Ğām' Banī 'Umayyah al-Kabīr), is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. Located in one of the holiest sites in the old city of Damascus, it is of great architectural importance.

After the Arab conquest of Damascus, the mosque was built on the Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist since the time of the Roman emperor Constantine I. The mosque holds a shrine which still today contains the head of John the Baptist (Yahya), honored as a prophet by both Christians and Muslims alike. There are also many important landmarks within the mosque for the Shī‘ah, among them is the place where the head of Husayn (the grandson of Muhammad) was kept on display by Yazīd I. There is also the tomb of Saladin, which stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.

In 2001 Pope John Paul II visited the mosque, primarily to visit the relics of John the Baptist. It was the first time a pope paid a visit to a mosque.

There re crowds waiting outside the main gate of a morning for it to open as I witnessed.

It truely is an impressive placeand visitors are probably very lucky to be able to get in to see it.

Cost is 50SYP payable at the room for changing clothes, about 20 meters down from the main gate.

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Inside the mosque is a small chapel and the Shrine of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahia to the Muslims) where tradition holds that the head of John is buried. One legend says that when the church was demolished, his head was found underneath, complete with skin and hair.

The prayer hall consists of three aisles, supported by Corinthian columns.

There is a lot to see inside the mosque. Remember that it is actively used for worship, and this should be respected.