About:

Damascus, that holy city with its deep historical  roots throughout the ages. It demonstrates the prosperity and the enlightenment that is spread out to all its habitants or anyone passes through it. Damascus, my beloved and inspiring to build- up this website, it is an opportunity for us  to  document and embrace all different aspects of this significant cultural heritage. From this website you will discover the spiritual influence of the City’s  ingredients. This special place where you can feel the spirit of the ancient. The smell of the jasmine flower, that is noticeable in all the beloved old city. My intent in this website to take you to live the  spiritual and historical experience through the content that includes articles and illustrations. I meant to spot the light on the unknown people behind the scene, who built this history through their hard-work and determination to leave aesthetic and spectacular achievements for the next generations. Although it is hard to  name them, but the legacy they left behind is an outstanding evidence of their authenticity and constancy to the old city Damascus.

This website is displayed through three major sectors, that shows history, art and the architecture of the city. I was inspired in this display from the  incomparable city context. It is a storyteller for the historical events and stories that the old city went through from the beginning of the history till the end of the Othman empire in the city. In addition we will spot on the  scientist, writers, historians, worshipers, leaders, amirs ..etc that had a major influence on its history and shape. Damascus art, it is a theatrical event includes the historical art such as folk arts, traditional crafts and recreational rituals. These art was inspired from the love of the Damascus inhabitants for entertainment events initiated in by the popular cafes earlier. About Damascus architecture, this city contains the most spectacular monuments through the history, which was built by the political power throughout different historical period to contribute for people such as madrasas, mosques and libraries.

In my vision that any society seeks for continuous improvement and renewal, it has to re-discover itself and with getting deepen its history. I believe learning our history is a key attribute to know and discover ourselves. Damascus history is mostly written by orientalist and writers who doesn’t belong to the city. These studies aims was to reconcile between the east and the west, rather than making a neutral and impartial historical record for the city. So how will the great empire and civilization get re-born without a well-knowledge to it’s history. Damascus city is an open society with a unique contextual contents. Is is a place for all people from different backgrounds to live- in peacefully. Although, our website discusses  Islamic topics that has prevailing influence on the city. But it is not a platform for a hearted religious confrontations. We are exchanging knowledge and deepen the understanding of Damascus history and its influence on the other civilizations.

Hala Qasqas

Author and researcher in Islamic Art