Syria, home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, offers extraordinary historical treasures from ancient Damascus and Aleppo to the spectacular Roman ruins of Palmyra. Despite recent challenges, the country's rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, and diverse landscapes continue to captivate adventurous travelers.
Syria is home to some of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, with Damascus often cited as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, dating back over 10,000 years. The land of modern Syria witnessed the rise and fall of Phoenician city-states, the Aramean kingdoms, Assyrian and Babylonian empires, Alexander the Great's Macedonian conquest, the Roman province of Syria, Byzantine Christianity, the Arab-Islamic conquests that transformed the region, Crusader kingdoms, Mongol invasions, Mamluk sultans, and Ottoman rule. After French mandate rule following World War I, Syria gained independence in 1946. The country's diverse heritage is evident in its UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Palmyra, Old Damascus, Old Aleppo, and Krak des Chevaliers.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Syria.
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1
Earliest Settlements
Neolithic settlements emerge in the Syrian region, including at Tell Mureybet on the Euphrates. Damascus area shows evidence of continuous habitation making it one of the world's oldest cities.
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2
Ebla Civilization
The city-state of Ebla near modern Aleppo becomes a major Bronze Age trading power. Ebla's cuneiform archive of 17,000 tablets reveals advanced administration, diplomacy, and trade networks.
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3
Aramean Kingdoms
Aramean kingdoms dominate Syria, with Damascus (Aram-Damascus) as a major power. Aramaic language spreads across the Near East and eventually becomes the lingua franca of the region.
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4
Alexander the Great's Conquest
Alexander the Great defeats Persian forces at the Battle of Issus and takes control of Syria. Hellenistic influence transforms Syrian cities with Greek architecture and culture blending with local traditions.
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5
Roman Province of Syria
General Pompey conquers Syria and makes it a Roman province. Palmyra grows as a vital Silk Road caravan city and Damascus becomes a prosperous Roman administrative center.
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6
Palmyra at its Height
Palmyra flourishes as a semi-autonomous state controlling trade routes. Queen Zenobia briefly breaks from Rome in 270 AD and conquers Egypt and much of the East before Roman Emperor Aurelian destroys the city in 273 AD.
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7
Arab-Islamic Conquest
Muslim Arab armies defeat Byzantine forces at the Battle of Yarmouk, ending centuries of Roman and Byzantine rule. Syria becomes a central province of the Islamic Caliphate, and Damascus becomes capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.
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8
Umayyad Caliphate
Damascus serves as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling the largest empire the world had yet seen from Spain to Central Asia. The Umayyad Mosque is built on the site of an ancient church in 705 AD.
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9
Crusader Period
European Crusaders establish kingdoms in the Levant and build magnificent castles including Krak des Chevaliers. Syrian cities like Damascus and Aleppo remain under Muslim control while Crusader states occupy coastal areas.
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10
Mamluk Defeat of Mongols
Mamluk Sultan Baybars defeats the Mongol army at the Battle of Ain Jalut, ending the Mongol threat to Syria. The Mamluks rule Syria and develop trade and architecture across the region.
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11
Ottoman Conquest
Ottoman Sultan Selim I defeats the Mamluks and incorporates Syria into the Ottoman Empire. Four centuries of Ottoman rule follow, during which Damascus becomes a major pilgrimage and trade hub.
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12
French Mandate and Independence
France receives the League of Nations mandate over Syria after World War I. Syrian nationalists resist French control through several uprisings. Syria gains full independence on April 17, 1946.
Historical eras
The chapters of Syria's past.
Ancient and Bronze Age
Syria hosts some of humanity's earliest civilizations including Ebla, Ugarit (where the world's first alphabet was developed), and the Aramean kingdoms. Damascus emerges as a major city-state during this period.
Hellenistic and Roman Period
Following Alexander's conquest, Syria blossoms under Greek and then Roman rule. Palmyra rises as an extraordinary desert trading empire, and the region becomes a crossroads of Silk Road trade. Christianity spreads across Syria from this period.
Islamic Caliphate Era
Syria becomes the heartland of the Islamic world when Damascus serves as capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. The Umayyad Mosque is built, Arabic culture flourishes, and Syria becomes a center of Islamic learning and art.
Crusader and Ayyubid Period
Crusaders from Europe build castles and establish kingdoms in the Levant while Muslim powers including Saladin's Ayyubid dynasty resist and eventually expel them. This period produced some of Syria's most dramatic military architecture.
Ottoman Empire
Four centuries of Ottoman rule bring relative stability and prosperity to Syria. Damascus becomes a major pilgrimage hub on the Hajj route to Mecca, and the great Damascene mansions and caravanserais of the Ottoman period still define the Old City.
Historical sites
Places where Syria's past comes alive.
Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus)
One of the oldest and largest mosques in the world, featuring stunning Byzantine mosaics, three minarets, and a vast marble courtyard. Sacred to both Muslims and Christians, it contains what is believed to be the head of John the Baptist.
Where: Old City, Damascus
Admission: $10
Palmyra Archaeological Site
Ancient desert city of magnificent Roman ruins including the Temple of Bel, grand colonnaded street, theater, and funerary towers. Though damaged in recent conflicts, it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
Where: Tadmur, Homs Governorate (215 km northeast of Damascus)
Admission: $15
Krak des Chevaliers
Considered the world's best-preserved Crusader castle, with massive concentric walls, a great hall, Gothic chapel, and cisterns. T.E. Lawrence called it 'perhaps the best preserved and most wholly admirable castle in the world.'
Where: Talkalakh District, 65 km west of Homs
Admission: $12
Damascus Citadel (Qal'at Dimashq)
Massive medieval fortress at the northwestern corner of Damascus Old City with 12 enormous towers. Built primarily during the reign of Saladin's successors, it now houses a museum of military history.
Where: Old City entrance, Damascus
Admission: $8
Al-Azm Palace
Magnificent 18th-century Ottoman governor's palace with elaborate iwan halls, decorated with colored marble, painted ceilings, and lush courtyard gardens. Houses a Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
Where: Old City, Damascus
Admission: $8
Bosra Archaeological Site
Ancient city built from distinctive black basalt stone featuring the world's best-preserved Roman theater, Byzantine churches, a Roman street colonnade, and a Crusader citadel encasing the theater.
Where: Bosra Al-Sham, Daraa Governorate (140 km south of Damascus)
Admission: $10
Aleppo Citadel (Qal'at Halab)
Imposing hilltop fortress dominating Aleppo's Old City, with origins dating to the 3rd millennium BC. The dramatic entrance bridge and gateway are iconic; inside are a mosque, throne room, and panoramic city views.
Where: City Center, Aleppo
Admission: $10
Maaloula Village
Ancient Christian village carved into dramatic cliff faces where residents still speak Western Neo-Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Monastery of Mar Sarkis and Convent of St. Thecla are the main sites.
Where: 60 km northeast of Damascus
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Syria's story.
National Museum of Damascus
Syria's foremost museum with over 150,000 artifacts spanning prehistory to the Islamic period. Highlights include Ugaritic tablets (world's first alphabet), reconstructed Dura-Europos synagogue, and Mari palace frescoes.
Hours: 9AM-6PM Wed-Mon, closed Tuesday
Admission: $10
Al-Azm Palace Museum
Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions housed in a stunning 18th-century Ottoman palace. Displays traditional Syrian clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, and recreations of traditional Damascene living quarters.
Hours: 9AM-5PM Wed-Mon
Admission: $8
Aleppo National Museum
Major archaeological museum displaying artifacts from northern Syria including Eblaite cuneiform tablets, Hittite reliefs, and an impressive reconstructed Neo-Hittite temple facade. One of Syria's most important collections.
Hours: 9AM-6PM Wed-Mon
Admission: $8
Palmyra Museum
Small museum adjacent to Palmyra ruins housing recovered statues, funerary busts, and artifacts from the ancient city. Some collection dispersed for safety during conflict - check current status before visiting.
Hours: 8AM-5PM when open - check locally
Admission: $8
Bosra Museum
Museum within the ancient city of Bosra displaying Roman, Nabataean, and Byzantine artifacts from the surrounding archaeological site. Set within the historic basalt buildings of the old city.
Hours: 8AM-6PM daily
Admission: $5
Dar Anbar Museum (Museum of Damascus History)
Housed in an exquisite 19th-century Damascus mansion, this museum traces the history of Damascus city through photographs, artifacts, and scale models showing its development from ancient times to modernity.
Hours: 9AM-4PM Sat-Thu
Admission: $5
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Self-guided walking tours of Damascus Old City using offline maps; many guesthouses provide hand-drawn maps covering main historical sites within the old walls
Day tours
Full-day guided tours to Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, or Bosra from $60-120 including private driver; arrange through hotel or reputable tour operators in Damascus
Private tours
Private licensed guides from $50-80 per half day in Damascus; essential for Palmyra where knowledge of the site dramatically enhances the experience