Ruins of the old city in Palmyra (photo by RONALD G. JAYME)

"Every cultured man belongs to two nations, his own and Syria.”  This statement somehow validates the written facts about Syria being the cradle of civilization.  But this could be more substantiated by actually exploring the enormity of its role in human history, particularly in the realm of Christianity.  To be present in the very place mentioned in the Holy Bible (where Syria is often cited with its capital, Damascus) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  To be able to walk along the Straight Street where St. Paul visited during his conversion to Christianity, can also be considered as a significant event in one’s journey through life.

There could be one hundred and one reasons why this ancient nation is worth exploring as it provides you not only a glimpse of the old world but also the unique story of civilization.  As Syria’s Minister of Tourism Dr. Saadallah Agha Alqalah puts it: “Syria is a huge museum, harboring the antiquities of more than 20 different civilizations – depicting in all the history of human civilization and realizing a unique variety of the world level.  Nature is obviously various including coast, mountains, forests, steppe, rivers, caves and caverns, natural and artificial lakes, and winter and summer resorts.  It also intermixes with the variety of antiquity and ancient cities, harboring their souqs, old houses, handicrafts and traditional industries – forming a compound attractive and unique tourist products, binding visit to seeing historical lifestyles, in addition to reviewing traditional arts and practicing attractive various tourist activities.”

Syria’s geographical backdrop has played an important part in shaping trade relations and interweaving of culture and traditions among countries in the olden times.  It used to be the “heart” or meeting point of Silk Road caravans coming from the east and west.  To recapture this historic episode and to highlight the early interactions among people of different ethnicity, the Syrian Ministry of Tourism has organized an annual event dubbed as the “Silk Road Festival.” 

Now on its eighth year, the Silk Road Festival is part of the tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Syria. Part of the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Philippine Department of Tourism and Syrian Ministry of Tourism is “to deepen the cooperation in the field of tourism between the two countries, and shall pay attention to cultural and historical tourism.”        

In his message during the opening activity held in Damascus Citadel, Dr. Alqalah shared, “In 2002, the government adopted the new vision of tourism to be a basic pillar to the national economy and a bridge of dialogue between nations, and one of the engines of the regional development.  The festival was able to present to the world the method in which the old world was able to bypass its conflicts through creative interaction between civilizations in which Syria was its heart and center due to its geographical location.”     

Touring some of the important places in Syria where the caravans used to converge (such as Damascus, Palmyra, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Tartus,   and Maalula) is a spectacle to behold – where history is literally present in all corners of this age-old nation of rich heritage. 

The Old City of Damascus

Considered as the most ancient inhabited city, Damascus characterizes a colorful blend of antiquity and contemporary world.  This Syrian capital is abounded with magnificent tradition and culture that withstood through the years.  On top of its prehistoric archeological countryside, this old metropolis is also a great place for religious pilgrimage wherein Islamic mosques and Christian churches thrive.  The Omayyad Mosque is one astounding attraction where the tomb of St. John the Baptist is housed.  The city is also famous for its old covered souqs or markets.  The Al-Hamidieh Souq, with its stretch starts close to the Damascus Citadel up to the Omayyad Mosque, is a haven for shoppers where traditional arts and other local products burgeoned.