In collection:
Geography & Places
Damascus
Did You Know?
Over the millennia, Damascus has been known by several names, reflecting the diversity of cultures and empires that have left their mark on the city. It has been called “Ash-Sham” by the Arabs, a term that encompasses the entire Levant region. Other names include “Damashq,” “Darayya,” and the “City of Jasmine” (“Madīnat al-Yāsmīn” in Arabic), the latter due to the jasmine flowers decorating the city streets and courtyards. Each name uncovers a layer of Damascus’s colorful history and the variety of influences that have shaped its identity.