One of the biggest and known mosques of the Earth
Damascus has more than 200 mosques, but only 70 are still in use. The Grand Mosque of Damascus, also known as the Umayyad Mosque is one of the largest, oldest mosques in the world and one of the oldest sites of continuous prayer since the rise of Islam. A shrine in the mosque is said to contain the head of John the Baptist. Located in the old city of Damascus, it is of great architectural importance. The Umayyad (sometimes written Omayyaddi) Mosque is also called the Great Mosque or, in arabic, “Al-Jami Al-Kabir”. It has been built at the beginning of the 13th century. The great Omayyad mosque of Damascus is is a building that inspires awe and wonder. Set within walls parts of which date back to a Roman temple, it sits on ground that has been considered holy for millenia.
The Umayyad Mosque is still one of the most impressive in the Islamic world, with a grand courtyard and spacious prayer hall. Some of the original mosaics still remain: on the north outer face of the transept, under the gable; on the arcades and back of the west portico; and on the arches of the vestibule. Across the flawless white marble courtyard where no shoe treads and under the cool arcades whose mosaics were first laid by Greek artisans from Constantinople in the 8th Century, you will see believers of all three persuasions making their way to the part of the mosque that means most to them.
Construction of the mosque was based on the house of the Prophet in Medina, which had many functions: it was a place for personal and collective prayer, religious education, political meetings, administration of justice and relief of the sick and homeless. The caliph asked and obtained from the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 200 skilled workers to decorate the mosque, as evidenced by the partly Byzantine style of the building.
The floor of the courtyard is decorated by a checkerboard of black and white marble geometric patterns. It hurts your eyes and feet under the strong sun light. In the evening the Umayyad Mosque is even more scenic and beautiful. Inside, there are wonderful big chandeliers hanging from the ceiling; on the outside courtyard green lights are switched on to point the Mecca direction. The atmosphere is absolutely charming.
Tourists enter through the north gate. Women (and men in shorts) are required to wear a gown that is provided at a small fee. You must also take your shoes off (leave them with the gate keeper) before crossing the threshold of the mosque.
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