If you are ready to travel back in time and immerse yourself in the heart of the successive civilizations that have shaped Syria’s history, visit the National Museum in Damascus; a great place that is highly recommended for lovers of valuable things. Syria Scope Travel advises you to familiarize yourself with Syria’s history before your visit to better appreciate the significance of the artifacts.
The National Museum of Damascus, located in the heart of Syria’s capital, next to Al-Takiyya al-Sulaymaniya, is more than just a building filled with artifacts, it’s a gateway to the country’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage.
Founded in 1919,106 Years ago, the museum stands as one of the oldest museums in the Middle East. Furthermore, its collections span thousands of years and showcase Syria’s role as a cradle of civilization, highlighting Ugarit, Mari, and Ebla. In addition, from prehistoric times to the Islamic era, the exhibits reflect the country’s historical significance as a cultural and trade crossroads.
Having walked up the path through the gardens to the main museum entrance, notice the entry façade of the 8th-century Umayyad desert palace Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi, which was transposed and carefully reconstructed as the National Museum’s main entrance. Added new emphasis to the importance of devoting more attention to the Islamic period.
The palace was originally built in the desert west of Palmyra between 724 and 727. The museum incorporates architectural elements from ancient Syrian sites that uniquely blend history and design.
Cultural heritage has been a popular target for terrorist organizations; consequently, the Damascus Museum holds one of the most important collections in the Middle East.
There are newly restored artifacts on public display, including Palmyra’s famous Lion of al-Lat, which took pride of place in the museum’s garden. Furthermore, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Palmyra, known as a home of well-preserved artifacts from Greek, Roman, Persian, and Islamic cultures.
You can choose to head to the wing of Classical Antiquity that houses the Palmyra finds, Byzantine mosaics, the reconstructed Tomb of Yarhai, and the Synagogue of Doura Europos, or you can head into the rooms that display finds from the ancient sites of Ugarit, Mari, and Ebla, then enter the Islamic display rooms where exhibits include ceramics, pottery, manuscripts, and decorated wood.
If you have no preference, you can always decide to go to the less crowded. Afterward, you enter a room full of collections of statuary and mosaics from the Hawran and Jebel Druze to the south of Syria.
The museum boasts an extraordinary collection of artifacts from across the country, representing six millennia of civilization.
The journey continue with artifacts from prehistoric times, including tools, pottery, and carvings that provide insight into the earliest human settlements.These displays demonstrate how the region’s fertile lands and rivers nurtured ancient civilizations.
Later on, you can witness the cuneiform tablets from Ugarit, where the first known alphabet was discovered, are among the museum’s most prized exhibits. These pieces highlight Syria’s role in the development of writing and communication.
The Greco-Roman section of the museum features statues, mosaics, and architectural fragments that illustrate the blending of Syrian and Greco-Roman artistic styles. The stunning mosaic floors and intricate statues transport visitors to the height of the Roman Empire.
This section houses artifacts from Syria’s early Christian era, including beautifully preserved icons, frescoes, and religious manuscripts. The Dura-Europos Church frescoes, some of the oldest Christian artworks in the world, are a particular highlight.
Islamic Heritage The Islamic section of the museum features exquisite examples of Syrian craftsmanship, including calligraphy, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork. This collection reflects the cultural and artistic achievements of the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
One of the museum’s most captivating sections features the city of Palmyra, known as the “Bride of the Desert.” Visitors marvel at statues, funerary art, and other relics from this iconic trade hub that flourished during the Roman Empire. Subsequently, the museum displays some of the most significant artifacts in the world, including the first alphabet, mosaics, and Islamic art.
One of the most captivating exhibits in the National Museum is the reconstructed Tomb of Yarhai, originally from the ancient city of Palmyra. The tomb served as a family burial chamber.The Tomb of Yarhai dates back to the 2nd century CE, and an inscription tells us Yarhai had it built for his family in AD108.
In 1934, conservators carefully relocated and the tomb within the National Museum of Damascus to protect it from damage and ensure its preservation. The exhibit replicates the original setting, with arrangements of intricate carvings, sculptures, and decorative elements as they were in Palmyra. The site serves as a mass grave with compartment shelves built into the walls for bodies from the same family, used for over two centuries.
Notice the two monolithic doors made to look like wood. Inside, the deceased presides over a funeral banquet to sustain him in the afterlife.Afterward, the tomb walls are adorned with reliefs of the deceased, depicted in fine detail wearing traditional Palmyrene clothing and jewelry. These sculptures are accompanied by inscriptions in Palmyrene Aramaic, commemorating the individuals buried there.
The intricate carvings and sculptures, indeed, showcase the incredible craftsmanship and artistic achievements of Palmyrene society. The reconstructed tomb provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to feel as if they’ve stepped into ancient Palmyra. The tomb provides insight into the Palmyran perspective on death and the afterlife.Moreover, it reflect a mixture of local customs and influences from their trade connections.
The National Museum of Damascus is more than just a repository of artifacts, it’s a living testament to Syria’s legacy as a cradle of civilization. A visit to this remarkable museum is an educational experience, also a reminder of the cultural richness that defines Syria. So, if you’re planning a trip to Damascus in 2025, make sure the National Museum is at the top of your itinerary.
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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.
