The ancient part of
Damascus
or "Old City" as it is
called, is given great deal
of attention by the
government through
protecting ruins,
archeological buildings and
features of specialty as
well as promoting tourism in
the framework of the new
project of Tourism Tracks.
Ministry of Local
Administration in
cooperation with Ministry of
Tourism and Damascus
Governorate launched the
project concentrating on
different features of the
Old City including the
cultural heritage due to the
fact that Damascus is
considered one of the most
important Tourist sites
being recorded in the list
of world heritage since
1979.
The
project contains six tracks
which are:
-The
classical track,
reviewing the ancient ages
of the Old City including
the Greek, Roman and
Hellenistic eras that are
manifested through
buildings, squares and
streets of each era.
-The track of
traditional Souks
(markets) which is divided
into two parts:
* The covered market
such as al-Hamidiya and al-Qishani
streets.
* The open market
such as Bab Touma and al-Qeimariyya
streets.
-The
spiritual track
shows the holy landmarks of
the city either Islamic or
Christian.
-The track of
handicrafts
where tourists could have a
tour on rare handicraft
workshops and watch
craftsmen while carrying out
their job.
-The extended
track that
connects the eastern part of
the city with the western
one.
-The short
visit track
which starts from the
western part of the city
provides the visitors with a
brief overview of the
important buildings and
landmarks in a short period
of time.
The tracks aim at
prolonging the period spent
by tourists as much as
needed to provide them of
what they seek based on
their interest be it
scientific, artistic or
cultural.
The tracks have a
starting point and an end in
a way that makes it easier
for the tourists to enter
and get out of the Old City.
Minister of Local
Administration Tamer al-Hija
said in a statement to SANA
that the tracks shed light
on the richness of
Damascus
in terms of history, culture
and civilization, adding
that they could activate
tourism by providing
guidelines to the different
tourist aspects of the
famous city in a simplified
way.
SANA
