CityBuddy
Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus)
Best time to visit
Early morning or late afternoon, when soft light brings out the mosaics and crowds are smaller; avoid Friday midday prayer times as the mosque is busiest.
Budget tips
No standard entry fee for the mosque complex, donations are welcome; access rules for non-Muslims can change, so check locally before visiting and avoid paying unofficial guides by hiring a licensed guide or joining a group.
Recommended for
History buffs, Architecture lovers, Religious and cultural travelers, Photography enthusiasts
Plan your visit
45-90 minutes
About
クイックファクト: You feel the scale instantly as a marble courtyard opens beneath shadowed arcades, while slender minarets rise into the sky as crisp geometric silhouettes. A dazzling program of Byzantine-style mosaics uses thousands of tiny tesserae, the gold and glass catching daylight so the river and city scenes seem to shimmer.
ハイライト: A small octagonal shrine houses a relic revered as the head of John the Baptist, set behind carved wooden screens and an emerald lamp that casts a cool green glow. Visitors note three named minarets, the Minaret of the Bride, the Minaret of Jesus, and the Minaret of the Eagle, and climbing one of their tight stone staircases rewards you with a dizzying view over layered courtyards and glittering mosaics.
Insider tips
- Dress conservatively: long sleeves and long trousers or skirts, and women should carry a headscarf as security may require one.
- Arrive early morning or late afternoon to photograph the mosaics and courtyards in soft light and face fewer visitors.
- Respect prayer times and signage, stay quiet near worshippers, and avoid entering areas reserved for prayer.
- Walk from the Old City gates to avoid taxi overcharges, and agree fares up front if using a driver.
Practical info
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