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On the occasion of the Silk Road Festival held in Damascus in September 2005, Silkpress.com was generously invited by the Ministry of Tourism as a only English tourism media in Central Asia.
The festival organized by the Ministry of tourism, will doubtlessly bear fruit; and, as for us, we went back home full of travel tales and memories of a fairy tale journey in the Orient. What impressed us most Damascus what a highlight this city among the oldest on earth was to us. The first mention of Damascus was made in Egyptian inscriptions over 4000 years ago. There is a reference to Damascus in the Bible. It is written there that it was founded by the great-grandson of Noah himself, whose name was Uz. Naturally, nothing has remained of that remote antiquity in Damascus but how many other cities can boast about their oldest monuments dating back to the end of the pre-Christian era, the times of Roman dominion? From Roman times remain the large stone blocks in the masonry of the fortification wall that once surrounded the whole city. Led by the commander Gnaeus Pompey, the Romans invaded Damascus in 64 B.C. Grey rocks above town are the heritage of the conquering Arabs of the VII century superceeding the Byzantine Empire. In the old town of Damascus the ancient Roman design of buildings and even entire blocks has been preserved up till now. The Romans built cities based on the model of their military camps – following a strict rectangular design.  Damascus is the capital of a Muslim state, but there are dozens and dozens of Christian sacred places here. Many of them are traced back to the name of the apostle Paul. Right within the confines of the principal mosqe in town stands a Christian chapel. Along the paved streets rows of shops and boutiques in which you will be politely welcomed, as custom in Asia. Here it is possible to find anything you like, fine confectionnary, smart clothing and textiles, even daring lingerie, smart looking jewelry .... No other modern city has undergone such intensive influence of different cultures and peoples. From the Neolithicum till doday, Damascus has traversed a fascinating history. In today’s Damascus it is possible to partake in the latest high-tech craze and at the same time to appreciate the antique. For in the East nothing is forgotten and nothing is denied... Welcome to Aleppo; the second largest city after Damascus but no less ancient or beautiful than the capital. This city has gained its fame due to its bazaar – one of the largest throughout the Arabian East. To someone who is not familiar with the winding lanes of the bazaar it is very easy to get lost in this labyrinth. And it is almost impossible to find the local bazaar without somebody’s help – an inconspicuous arch serves as the entrance gate. The sellers, in in absence of buyers, which never lasts long, are discussing the latest news. One drinks strong coffee with cardamome, one smokes the hookah. Porters are carrying packed goods back and forth. Peddlers with ice can be glimpsed fleetingly – the ice is used for the preparation of cool drinks. In spite of the apparent randomness, the Eastern bazaar has an accurate structure. Closer to the entrance there usually are shops catering to foreign visitors. Prices for tourists and for locals certainly differ. Tourists come and go. While the local buyer is buying today, and is likely to come back tomorrow. That merrits a rebate. In the leather maker’s lane, bags, purses, and trunks are sold. Fabrics in the bazaar are, probably, the most saleable goods. An Arabian saying goes: "the best trade is the trade in fabric". In order to find in the Eastern bazaar the rows with spices and fragrances, you do not need to ask anyone for directions – just follow your nose and you will get there. Clove, cardamon, cinnamon, pepper, and cloves are so fragrant they make you feel giddy. Other than spices, this is where soap and and fragrance are sold. Soaps are made from various potions. Here a bar of olive soap famous throughout all the Middle East, which is made only in Syria. And there the same soap, but prepared from bay leaf. Right behind the shopping rows are the handicraftsmen’s workshops – it is impossible to imagine an Eastern bazaar without them. In a tailor's shop they sew men's clothes – European suits and traditional dressing gowns called dashdashah. Palmyra Two thirds of Syrian territory is deserts. Hundreds of kilometers of highways are built through them. One of them leads from Damascus, the capital of the Syrian Arab Republic, into the center of the country. The landscape through the window is not exactly diversified: endless sand with rare spots of wilted grass. All life is concentrated here in the oases. One of them at the beginning of the Christian era was known in the entire ancient world. There is hardly a man in our country, who does not know the word ‘Palmyra’. Following some unknown person’s example, the city of St.-Petersburg has still been called “the Northern Palmyra”. And in the central part of Syria, 200 kilometers away from Damascus, there lies real Palmyra.  This oasis sprang to life through the Efka hot spring. Caravans used to make halt in the shadow of palms to water their camels and to make them rest. With time a large city was built here, that later became one of principal trade centers of the Mediterranean. The Aramaic name of Palmyra is Tadmor which means “the town of palms”. In the Old Testament it is said, that it was re-built by king Solomon after being destroyed by the Assyrians. The name ‘Palmyra’ could already have been given in those ancient times. Almost all preserved monuments refer to that period. One of the most remarkable constructions in Palmyra is the triumphal arch, the spans of which were once crowned with sculptures. Carriages and horsemen used to pass through its central portal. The lower lateral passages were intended for pedestrians. The arch leads into the main street of Palmyra, along which colonnades were lined up on both sides. By modern standards, Palmyra is a small city with its 6km2. None the less, the number of monuments is absolutely striking. The majority were built in II and the III century of our era either by the Romans, or under their considerable influence. In spite of the fact that Palmyra rose many times against the power of Rome, in many respects it owes the Roman Empire its prosperity. The Romans build good roads and water-pipes here, and promoted in every possible way the development of trade, with wares provided by the over 500 workshops and stores. Only their foundations are left, covered by sand but to take in the remains of Palmyra at a glance, wander past the monumental pillars, tens of thousands of people from all over the world come here. And for the publisher of Discovery Central Asia Travel Magazine magazine and his Director of Marketing, the whole journey was a revelation. Excellent trip value, excellent organization, excellent impressions and unforgettable memories; the wonderful warm weather, the hospitable people of this remarkable and fantastic country will stay in our hearts forever. |
