Let us mention in particular the exhibition and sale center created by the state in the Madrassah Suleimaniyah,
an ancient school of Koranic theology of the Ottoman period, near the National Museum, where masterpieces of Damascene
master craftsmen: brocades, carpets, embroideries, damasked objects with brass inlay, painted wood paneling, hand
blown glassware, traditional trinkets, etc... are on display. In addition, one must visit the two large shopping
areas if one is not to return empty-handed from Syria. There is no doubt that you will be more attracted by the
souks, and you will be right, if you are looking for the picturesque. In any case, you will not miss the souks
since you will have to cross the Souk Hamidiyeh to visit the Omayyad Mosque. There you will find all the above
mentioned articles and many more in a maze of small shops.
There are for example goldsmiths and jewellers; many of them Christians, opposite the southern gate of the Mosque;
woodturners, and sandal makers. For cotton textiles, such as Keffieh headgars and Kilims, go to the street called
Straight, i.e.(souk Midhat Pasha), on your return from the Azem Palace. In case you are more attracted by ancient
objects which are still not classified as antiques, you will have to visit the modern part of the city (or the
smart shops of the international hotels), i.e. in Salhiyeh or Hamra streets, where you find some shops of the best
standing selling souvenirs. On the other hand, if you are interested only in sweetmeats (the delicious Damascus
Apricots!), you can buy them the evening before you depart from the Shuhada Square where there are many pastry
shops. The name of this square means The Martyrs Square and refers to the victims of the French bombings of Damascus
on 29 and 30th May 1945, when General Oliva-Roget crushed an uprising of the city, although independence had been
proclaimed by General Catroux in 1941. |
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