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Our next stop was at Homs, the so-called capital o

Our next stop was at Homs, the so-called capital of the revolution and the city that served as a major stronghold of the opposition against President Bashar Al-Assad.
Due to its strategic location, at the crossroads between the main north-south road and west-east road, Homs became a key battlefield in the Syrian armed conflict. Whoever got control over this major transport hub, would also block the main highway between the capital Damascus and the North. For that very reason, and while the city remained occupied by the Free Syrian Army, the government forces kept on bombing Homs by both air and land.
In the meantime, thousands of families trapped between the two sides suffered from starvation with all supply routes being cut off. The outcome of over 3 years of blockades and bombardments, was a city left in ruins. Finally, on 9 December 2015, after complex negotiations, a cease-fire was achieved and the besieged were allowed to leave the city.
Visiting Homs today is definitely a disturbing sight. Streets and buildings are haunted by violence and death. Entire neighborhoods lie destroyed, leaving an apocalyptic scene. It is more than clear that Homs is the city that suffered the most during the Syrian crisis. No words can describe that awful silence… Nonetheless, some residents have returned to their homes, hoping to begin everything anew.
#visitsyria

About an hour’s drive north of Damascus lies Maa

About an hour’s drive north of Damascus lies Maaloula, a small Christian town, literally carved into the Qalamoun Mountain. This is one of the world’s oldest villages and out of the few remaining places on earth where Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ, still survives.
Even if the written form of Aramaic has fallen away over the centuries, the majority of residents in Maaloula still use this ancient language in their everyday life. They also try to preserve it by passing it on to their children.
While in Maaloula we visited the Convent of Saint Thecla. The story of Saint Thecla goes like this... St. Thecla converted to Christianity at a very young age, inspired by the preaching of Saint Paul.
In her efforts to convey the same message, she was exposed to torture and persecution by her own father. St. Thecla managed to escape and fled towards Antioch by crossing a great distance on foot. However, when she reached the base of Maaloula Mountain she realized that the mountain was too high and obstructed her way. She, then, kneeled, raised her hands, and prayed to God.
As her father’s soldiers were getting closer, the mountain was suddenly divided into two, creating a passage (today’s gorge) for her to pass through. Maaloula got its name by this very miracle, as the word Maaloula in Aramaic signifies exactly this: the “entrance”.
#visitsyria

Despite the 12-year armed conflict, Damascus itsel

Despite the 12-year armed conflict, Damascus itself was the less-hit city in the whole of Syria. The places you will be visiting, both in the Old City and in the new part of Damascus, remain intact with minimum to no signs of hits.
All shops, souks, and restaurants are open, while the streets are bustling with life.
As soon as the visitor enters the old city from any of the seven different gates, he dives into a maze of narrow streets and alleys.
A large part of the heritage of the city consists of magnificent palaces and private houses built during the Ottoman conquest. Most of these houses have now been converted into museums, galleries, luxury hotels, or traditional restaurants.
#visitsyria #visitdamascus

Following the end of the afternoon prayer that tak

Following the end of the afternoon prayer that takes place at 6 pm, locals in Damascus enjoy gathering in cafes to listen to the stories narrated by “al hakawati” (aka the storyteller). In fact, this is a very well-known tradition in Damascus!
One of the most famous cafes in which storytellers still tell their stories is Al Nawfara Café, located in old Damascus, next to the Great Umayyad Mosque.
The hakawati narrates a long story that unfolds into small “episodes” every single day. There is no repetition of the same narration, just a continuation of the story each day!
We personally could not understand a word of it, but we had loads of fun seeing how the hakawati got emotionally involved in his reading. Sometimes waving a flat sword in the air and some other times slamming it against a table in an effort to silence the audience or to add a dramatic effect to his sayings!
No matter what the story was all about, our evening at the Al Nawafara Café crowned our full-day exploring Damascus and added much to the city’s historic charm!
#visitsyria #storyteller

The Grand Mosque of Damascus), is one of the large

The Grand Mosque of Damascus), is one of the largest mosques in the world and one of the oldest sites of continuous prayer since the rise of Islam. The building alone is a magnificent structure, a wonder of Islamic architecture, and the work of thousands of craftsmen of Coptic, Persian, Indian, and Byzantine origin.
However, this site has hosted many different religions in the past. The Aramaeans originally built a temple here in 100 BC for Haddad, the God of storms and lightning. Then, in the early 1st century AD, the Romans arrived and built a massive temple to Jupiter over the foundations of the Aramaean temple. Nowadays, before entering the Umayyad Mosque, visitors cross a spacious square with Roman columns and arches. These are actually the remains of the main entrance of that Roman temple.
In the late 4th century this area became a Christian sacred site. The temple of Jupiter was destroyed and a church dedicated to John the Baptist was built in its place. The church was believed to enshrine the head of the Baptist, making the site an important pilgrimage destination.
The Muslim conquest of Damascus in 636 didn’t initially affect the church, and the building was shared by Muslim and Christian worshipers. Later on, a large part of that church was demolished and the Umayyad Mosque was constructed in its place. However, sheltered inside the prayer hall still remains the small chapel and shrine of John the Baptist.
I have learnt all this 🤓📖 (and even more 😅) from our brilliant guide @rnawaya from @marrota.tourism.syria 🔝
#visitsyria #visitdamascus

The ancient city of Busra in Southern Syria was co

The ancient city of Busra in Southern Syria was conquered by various empires throughout the centuries but particularly flourished under the Romans.
The influence of the Romans in the area is most evident in the Busra Amphitheater, which is the city’s most impressive feature.
The Amphitheater dates back to the 2nd century AD and can accommodate 17,000 spectators. As such, it’s not only the best preserved but also the largest Roman Amphitheater in the world.
The Busra Amphitheater was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2013.
Unlike all other places we visited in the country, Busra was the only one that is not controlled by the Government but by the Free Syrian Army.
@marrota.tourism.syria the local tour agency we used for our trip in Syria, took care of all logistics (clearances) for legally entering and safely roaming around this area!
#visitsyria #syria2022

At the end of October, I finally managed to visit

At the end of October, I finally managed to visit Syria, a long awaited destination since tourism visas were suspended throughout the 12-year armed conflict, described by Syrians themselves as the “Syrian crisis” (they don’t like using the word “war”).
Nowadays, the Syrian Government has regained control over a significant part of the Syrian territory, including all major cities. All these areas, which are indeed the most popular places someone would like to see in the country, are finally open to visitors. Namely Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Palmyra (with an extra security permit), Krak de Chevaliers, Latakia, and Tartus. Busra might not be controlled by the Government (but by the Free Syrian Army), but is also possible to visit (as part of a tour).
For our trip to Syria, we used @marrota.tourism.syria , a local tour agency that specializes in such visits. We had a personal driver and guide that drove us around all safe zones within the country while taking care of all logistics (required clearances for getting a tourist visa and for entering areas that are occupied by both the government and the Free Syrian Army).
#visitsyria #visitdamascus

2022 World Cup is finally OVER!!! Και ΝΑΙ

2022 World Cup is finally OVER!!!
Και ΝΑΙ είμαστε έτοιμοι να επιστρέψουμε στην ενεργό δράση!!! 🦅💛💣
In the meantime, I have been actively recruiting new AEK supporters in Syria for da club! ⚽️🤠🤘
#aekfc #monoaek

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