Al-Mrah Village is the heart of Damascena Rose cultivation, nestled in the mountains of western Syria.Damasena rose or so-called the Damask rose is one of the most fragrant and celebrated flowers in the world. A journey to Syria awaits, where you will discover the rich heritage of the Damascena rose and its aromatic products.Book your tour to Syria here.
To begin with, the Damascena Rose, or Rosa Damascena,stands out because of its deep, sweet fragrance and rich historical background.Syrians have cultivated this rose in Damascus for thousands of years, primarily to extract its essential oils, which people use in perfumes, skincare, and even medicinal products.
Al-Mrah Village serves as the main location for cultivating these roses. Thanks to its favorable climate and fertile soil, helped it earn a place on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List in 2019.This mountainous area has become one of the leading producers of the Damascene Rose in the country. In fact, many of the village’s residents actively participate in rose farming, passing down techniques from generation to generation.Most importantly, the town actually produced 50-60 tons of Damascene rose, which is the most important achievement.
Moreover, while visiting Syria, especially Al-Mrah Village, you can explore the stunning landscapes and ancient stone houses; the village offers much more than just roses.Travelers often leave Al-Mrah with a deeper appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of rural Syrian life.
The best time to visit Al-Mrah Village is during spring, from April to June, when the Damascena Roses bloom in full color.Specifically, they begin to bloom in May, prompting farmers and their families to head to the fields in the early morning to handpick the roses.By afternoon, the whole family helps sort the rose buds that they dry to make tea. They store the other rose petals and prepare them for distillation.A unique trip to Syria promises to reveal the wonders of the Damascena rose so book yours now.
Farmers in Mrah Village cultivate the Damascene Rose, which is highly prized for the wide range of products derived from its petals and essential oils. These products not only reflect Syria’s rich floral heritage but also play a significant role in the local economy and global markets. Here’s a look at some of the most popular rose products:
Perhaps the most famous product of the Damascene Rose is rose water. This fragrant water is made by distilling rose petals and has numerous uses, for instance, in Syria, rose water is commonly used in sweets and drinks, thereby, adding a floral flavor to desserts like Maamoul and baklava (some of the famous Syrian desserts you can read about here).Moreover, cosmetics also have rose water in a lot of formula, primarily, for its soothing properties, and people often use it as a facial toner or skin refresher.Nevertheless, kindly note that some people may be allergic to rose water, thus they need to take a sensitivity test before using it.
Rose essential oil is one of the most valuable products; in fact, experts derive it from the Damascene Rose.Moreover, It takes thousands of petals to produce just a few milliliters of this highly concentrated oil, making it precious and expensive.Furthermore, damascene rose oil is a key ingredient in many high-end perfumes worldwide.Additionally, formulators highly use it in skin care products like creams, lotions, and serums due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as its hydrating and anti-aging effects.
A delightful traditional product made from the petals of the Damascene Rose.The petals are cooked with sugar and lemon, creating a delicate and aromatic preserve. This jam is a favorite in Syrian households and is often enjoyed with bread or used in pastries. You can explore more about Syrian desserts here.Travel to Syria to celebrate the Damascena rose and the cultural traditions surrounding its use. check out our tours.
a sweet and fragrant liquid used to flavor drinks and desserts.Popular in traditional Syrian kitchens, it adds a distinct, luxurious flavor to teas, lemonades, and other beverages.
The Damascene Rose is also incorporated into various natural soaps and skincare items, used for its gentle fragrance and skin-friendly properties. These products are often handmade and sold in local markets, making them popular souvenirs for tourists visiting Al-Mrah and other parts of Syria. Also, rose oil is an important ingredient in aromatherapy products like candles, bath oils, and diffusers.
In summary, these products not only show Syria’s rich cultural heritage but also highlight the timeless beauty of the Damascene Rose to the world, and reflect the deep connection between the local community and this cherished flower.Damascene Rose and Al-Mrah Village represent the harmonious blend of nature, history, and community.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a history enthusiast, or someone seeking a peaceful retreat, Al-Mrah Village should be on your list of places to explore in Syria. So, why wait? Embark on a journey to Syria
For more information about Syria’s Hidden gims please get in touch with us today! Alternatively, check out our extensive range of group Syria tours.
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Josh 2024-06-23 Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria 2024-06-23 An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer 2024-05-31 Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas 2024-05-31 I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi 2024-05-21 I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara 2024-05-20 Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao 2024-05-20 Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba 2024-05-19 Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato 2024-05-18 Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon 2024-05-18 Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
