Syria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Syria’s historical heritage was not spared the ravages of the horrific war that has spanned over a decade. Today, Syria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites stand in a heartbreaking state of
June 26, 2024
The 7 Gates of Old DamascusThe 7 Gates of Old Damascus
The gates of Damascus speak to the rich history of the city. Not only did they once protect the city from invaders, they also give our present society a glimpse into the beliefs and culture unique to the different inhabitants of Damascus along history. Across the centuries, each gate served a different purpose and symbolized something distinct to the different societies that resided in the city.
The 7 Gates on the ancient walls of the Old City of Damascus as we know them today mainly date back to the Roman period. However, their foundations lie earlier during Aramean rule in Syria. Each gate was named after and represented a Roman god as well as a celestial body assigned to the god according to Roman mythology. The symbols of these celestial bodies were even carved on stones and hung on these gates as a symbol of protection.
Bab Sharqi (Eastern Gate)
It was originally referred to as the Gate of the Sun by the Romans and was dedicated to the Roman God of the Sun, Sol (Greek equivalent, Helios). The gate is located on the easternmost part of the wall. Located on the easternmost end of the old city, it also gets its name from the fact that the rising sun shines on this gate before any of the others. It was from this gate that the Muslims entered Damascus and claimed it from the Byzantines, marking the start of Islamic presence in Syria.
Bab Al-Salam (Gate of Peace)
It is unclear whether Bab Al Salam dates back to Roman rule or during the reign of the Turkic Sultan Nour Al-Dein under Seljuk rule in the 12th century. Those who suspect it is of Roman origin believe the gate was originally referred to as the Gate of the Moon, dedicated to the Roman goddess, Luna (Greek equivalent, Selene). It was later referred to as Bab Al-Salam because of its unappealing location to invaders being surrounded with rivers and dense trees.
Bab Kisan
Originally named after the Roman god Saturn, God of time, abundance, and periodic renewal (Greek equivalent, Cronos). The gate was later referred to as “St. Paul’s Gate”, relating to the incident of smuggling Paul over the wall as Jewish residents of the city were angered with the spread of Christianity in Damascus. A small window can be spotted on the gate where Paul was believed to have been smuggled through; the gate now leads to a chapel built in his honor. Ibn Asaker mentions in his book History of Damascus: “Bab Kisan was given its common name in honor of Kisan, servant of Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufyan”.
Bab Al-Faradis (Gate of Paradise)
Originally named after the Roman god Mercury, God of commerce, financial gain, and communication (Greek equivalent, Hermes), the Romans gave it the name Paradisus (in Latin: paradise) due to the abundance of gardens around the gate. Some refer to the gate as Bab Al Amara located in the Amara borough of Old Damascus. The area is one of the oldest in the city and the word translates to “Building/Construction”.
Bab Al-Jabiyeh (Gate of the Water Trough)
Originally named after the Roman god Jupiter, god of the sky and thunder as well as the king of the gods (Greek equivalent, Zeus). The current name of the gate dates back to the Umayyad Caliphate (661-744) and was named after a region in the Golan Heights, Al-Jabiyeh, which was a capital of the Ghassanids, an Arab Christian tribe allied with the Byzantines who formed an independent state in southern Syria. The gate now leads into one of the old city’s most famous markets, Souq Medhat Pasha.
Bab Touma (Gate of Thomas)
It was originally named after the Roman goddess Venus, goddess of love, sex, and beauty (Greek equivalent, Aphrodite). When Christianity began dominating in the region, the name was changed to Gate of Thomas (Bab Touma) after Thomas the Apostle, who lived in the area. The gate is thought to be the oldest of the 7 gates and Greek engravings have been identified on the gate. Located near Bab Sharqi, this area of Damascus is an artistic hub, filled with ancient sites and churches, and a vibrant food scene and nightlife.
Bab AI-Saghir (The Small Gate)
Originally named after the Roman god Mars, God of War (Greek equivalent, Ares), the current name of the gate is self-explanatory as it is the smallest of the 7 gates. The location of this gate has religious significance to the Muslim community. Just outside of the gate is the city’s main cemetery where not only generations of Damascene families are buried, but also several historic religious figures and companions/relatives of the Prophet Mohammad, in addition to Umayyad Caliphs.
