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Latest Damascus hotel reviews
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The Citadel is easily recognisable with its massive walls. Unfortunately it was not open for visitors as a major ongoing restoration project is taking place.
There are 7 gates (bab)
Bab Sharqi
Bab Thoma
Bab al-Saghir
Bab Kisan
Bab al-Salam
Bab al-Faradis
Bab al-Jabiya
If you walk outside the old city, there are some areas where the original walls are still visible, like between Bab as-Salaama and Bab Thouma.
Written Apr 16, 2010
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The Damascus Citadel is located in the north west corner of the old city and lies on the location where the Roman Castrum (military camp) once existed. It is thought that the site was used as a military camp in pre-Roman times and continued well afterwards. However, the actual Citadel was not built until around 10th-11th century when fortifying the city against Crusader invasions was necessary. Later during successive Mongol invasions, the citadel was almost completely destroyed, but was restored after each invasion, most recently under the Mamlukes. During Ottoman rule, the citadel was neglected and left to decay, but for periods it was used as a prison. It is now closed for excavation and restoration works with the hopes of opening to visitors sometime in the future.
Updated Jan 19, 2007
Passing by The Citadel in Damascus but it's was in a state of renovation.
Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the world & there have been many buildings upon buildings lie on top of one another all through the centuries !
Written Jun 14, 2005
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Well, this citadel, or at least its walls, are not as impressive as the ones in Aleppo, basically because they don't stand upon a mound. The architecture is also less striking - well, it's of different origin, after all. The Romans built it, and made it kind of plain. However what really impressed me is the strenght of these walls - they really seem unbreachable. If you follow them for a while you can find some interesting doors (bab as-salaama, bab touma): my suggestion is to visit its perimeter at night. When Damascus traffic quietens down, and relative silence settles in, those walls really do show their charm. It's not possible to visit the citadel inside, which is not a bad idea: Aleppo's citadel is an empty shell - this one at least does not cheat about its no-content.
Updated Jan 20, 2003
Address: sharia ath-tharwa
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From what I could see there was little of the citadel to be seen apart from an impressive stone wall and a tower.
It is beside the Humaidiya market and near the Omayyad Mosque.
Updated May 31, 2010
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The original Roman fort that stood here was strengthened during the 13th century to resist Crusader attacks.
Updated Apr 13, 2007
The citadel of Damascus lies at the entrance to the Old City and at the end of Souq al-Hamidiyya.
Written Apr 2, 2006
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When I was there the Citadel was closed, but the area surrounding it is nice as you start to find yourself in modern Damascus. The statue in front of the citadel is of Salah ad-Din.
Written Mar 31, 2006
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citadel tips and photos posted by real travelers and Damascus locals.
Write a ReviewWhen I was there the Citadel was closed, but the area surrounding it is nice as you start to find yourself in modern Damascus. The statue in front of the...
81 members live in Damascus
Q: Any opinions? I've visited Marrakech a few years ago (was in Granda this past fall) and am very interested in going back to...
A: forgot to add - I'm thinking about April or May. If you think there is a better time to go please let me know. Thanks.
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To come to Damascus is to come to not only one of the very oldest cities in the world, but also one of the most fascinating - truly a place of fable and endless fascination. This is the city of...
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SAVE OLD DAMASCUS! Damascus, Dimashq, or el-Sham - one of the earliest human settlements on Earth - developed over several millennia into one of history's greatest cities. As the oldest continuously...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Damascus. I'd love to share with you the 46 tips I've written, the 163 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
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I've got some interesting experiences in Damascus. I'd love to share with you the 44 tips I've written, the 119 photos uploaded, and 5 travelogues I've created.
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