Hejaz Railway Station

Over

Korte feiten: More than 1,300 kilometers of track once linked this gateway to holy Medina, shrinking the pilgrimage from 40 camel days to about five by train. The ornate terminus was the design of Fernando de Aranda, a Spanish architect who converted to Islam and adopted the name Sinan, and its museum still guards original blueprints and vintage locomotives.

Hoogtepunten: Step past the tall arched portal and the first thing that hits you is the smell of old oil and seasoned wood, with a century of steam soot still dusting the glass roof overhead. Among the preserved carriages sits the royal wagon of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, its gilded fittings and velvet benches surviving the war that halted the line.

Insidertips

• Arrive in late morning when direct light pours through the glass roof for the strongest photography
• Wear closed-toe shoes, because restored carriages keep sharp, rusted metal edges on their floors
• Skip the empty upstairs offices and head straight to the outdoor yard where spare locomotives are parked
• Carry an offline translation app, since printed signage is scarce and staff speak little English

Meer attracties in Damascus

Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus)

Old City of Damascus (Ancient City)

Al-Hamidiyah Souq

Azm Palace (Beit al-Azem)