Syria Before The War #2 - The Painfully Beautiful Syria

The Syrian war has been a slowly unfolding catastrophe. The country is in a deep crisis and many Syrians are war-weary. However, hope for a new beginning remains, although still distant. Despite the suffering of the past number of years, I hope that Syria is somehow able to rebuild itself, and regain a new sense of pride.

I've been very lucky to visit Syria before the war and terror started. I wanted to share a series of photos taken in Syria before the war to remind myself and everyone of a time when this country lived in peace and showcased its incredibly rich culture. Take a break from the bleak headlines and scroll around the country for a reminder of the beauty of this ancient pearl. Today part two.

All photography is original and mine. Note that the photos below were taken with one of my older cameras (ugh, before 2011) and are therefore of lower quality.
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Umayyad Mosque / Great Mosque of Damascus

One of the largest and oldest mosques in the world, the Ummayad Mosque is considered by some Muslims as one of the holiest places in Islam. The mosque also marks the beginning of significant protests related to the cival war. Some 50 worshipers gathered outside the complex and started demonstrations with pro-democracy slogans. The memories I have of this mosque, I will always cherish. The atmosphere in the courtyard is fantastic: bustling and full of life, however never intimidating or hectic. A true spiritual place. While the famous Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo (a UNESCO site) has been ruined in the war, its brother in Damascus survived thus far (being based in the capital strictly under the president's rule).

And boy, they do love their courtyards. This was the courtyard of my hotel:

And I have seen so many of these old cameras around the country, it was almost like one big museum... Back then I was not really into photography that much, but looking back at this gives me the chills.

Aleppo

Perhaps one of the most emotional stories can be told about Aleppo. According to some, it was 'one of the most beautiful cities in the world'. Truly elegant. Now, Aleppo has been blasted into ruins, being devastated by years of war. But for locals, the memory endures of a city that could be crowned as one of the true jewels of the Middle East. The old city contained beautiful architecture and entrances with fortified wooden doors. Aleppo drew visitors from all over the globe. And for a lot of reasons. While thinking about Aleppo, I get both angry and sad. You just cannot imagine how beautiful it was ...

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