Umayyad Square
Umayyad Square (Arabic: ساحة الأمويين / ALA-LC: sāḥat al-Umawiyīn) is a large and important square in Damascus, Syria. It connects the city center with several important highways and areas, and contains important buildings, including the Ministry of Defense, Syria's national Opera House and the headquarters of the Syrian Armed Forces.
The Damascene Sword monument, widely considered as the symbol of the city, stands in the square, and is considered a symbol and reminder "of the victories, strength and achievements of the Syrian people".[1] The name of the square is a reference to the Umayyads who took Damascus as the capital of their caliphate in the 7th century.
On 20 June 2011 a massive pro-President al-Assad rally was held in the square as well as in Homs, Aleppo, Sweida, Latakia, Deraa, Hasaka, Tartous as well other locations during the Syrian civil war.[2]
Prior to the opening of the new 1.2 million sqm fairground to house the Damascus International Fair, the fair which was held annually since 1954 (before being cancelled in 2012 and reopening in 2017) was held in the square.[3]
Streets
The Umayyad square is connected with seven of the city's most important streets and highways:
- Beirut Street, which connects Damascus to the capital of Lebanon, Beirut
- Jawaharlal Nehru street, named after Jawaharlal Nehru, former prime minister of India
- Adnan al-Malki street, named after Adnan al-Malki, a Syrian Army officer and major 20th century political figure
- Mehdi Ben Barka street, named after Mehdi Ben Barka, a Moroccan politician
- Shukri al-Quwatli street, one of the city's most important streets, named after Shukri al-Quwatli, first president of an independent Syria
- Abu Bakr street, named after Rashidun caliph Abu Bakr
- Fayez Mansour street, named after Syrian Colonel Fayez Mansour who aced 14 victories against the Israeli Air Force
Buildings on the Umayyad Square
- Damascus Opera House complex, which includes the Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts.
- Al-Assad National Library, Malki Street[4]
- Syrian Television building.
- the Hay'at al-Arkan, the Syrian Armed Forces General staff headquarters.
- Ministry of Defense.
- Sheraton Damascus Hotel.
References
- ^ "Syria before the war". Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ "Assad issues amnesty in bid to woo public". United Press International. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "Damascus International Fair to be held against all odds". SANA. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ Robert D. Stueart (2007), International librarianship, Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, ISBN 9780810858763, 0810858762
External links
- Media related to Umayyad Square at Wikimedia Commons
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other landmarks
- Al-Azem Palace
- Khan As'ad Pasha
- Straight Street
- Mausoleum of Saladin
- Umayyad Mosque
- Citadel of Damascus
- Grand Serail of Damascus
- Khadra Palace
- Nur al-Din Bimaristan
- Maktab Anbar
- Hejaz Train Station
- Statue of Saladin
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Temple of Jupiter
- Tishreen Palace
- Al-Shaab Palace
- October War Panorama
Catholic | |
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Eastern Orthodox | |
Oriental Orthodox |
education
- National Museum of Damascus
- Al-Assad National Library
- Damascus Opera House
- Damascus University
- Syrian Virtual University
- International University for Science and Technology
- Syrian Private University
- Arab International University
- Higher Institute for Applied Science and Technology
- Higher Institute of Music in Damascus
- Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts
- National Institute of Administration
- Damascus Community School
- Lycée Charles de Gaulle
- Shami Hospital
- Bakdash (ice cream parlor)
- Bawabet Dimashq
- Havana Cafe
- Beit al-Mamlouka Hotel
- Blue Tower Hotel
- Four Seasons Hotel Damascus
- Baghdad Street
- Marjeh Square
- Rawda Square
- Sabaa Bahrat Square
- Umayyad Square
- Yusuf al-Azma Square
Venues |
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Clubs |
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(List of rulers)
- Aram
- Siege (634)
- Jund Dimashq
- Burid dynasty
- Siege (1148)
- Eyalet
- Affair
- Protocol
- State
- Battle (1941)
- International Airport
- 1976 Pan Arab Games
- World Military Cup 1977
- International Film Festival
- 1981 Azbakiyah bombing
- 1986 bombings
- 1992 Pan Arab Games
- Spring
- 2002 West Asian Football Federation Championship
- 2004 WABA Champions Cup
- Declaration
- 2008 Arab Capital of Culture
- 2008 Arab League summit
- 2008 car bombing
- 2011 bombings
- 2011–2012 clashes
- January 2012 al-Midan bombing
- March 2012 bombings
- April 2012 bombings
- May 2012 bombings
- Battle (2012)
- July 2012 bombing
- 2017 bombings
- Category
33°30′50″N 36°16′35″E / 33.51389°N 36.27639°E / 33.51389; 36.27639