SYRIA 2011

Sunrise over Damascus.
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Sunrise over Damascus.
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The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus.
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The main courtyard of Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
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The shrine of John the Baptist also known as Yahya in the Muslim world.
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A vegetable vendor in the street of Damascus.
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Headstones.
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Damascus.
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A historical baths in the centre of Damascus.
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Damascus.
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Damascus.
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Damascus.
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Damascus.
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Krak des Chevaliers.
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This fortress was built during the 11th century Crusade.
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Salah al-Din castle.
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Monastery Mar Musa from 6th century was rebuilt on foundations of a Roman castle.
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The community of monks receive pilgrims with meal and accommodation.
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Morning prayer in the chapel of the monastery Mar Musa.
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Latakia is a 3th largest city in Syria. An important port city by the Mediterranean Sea.
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Latakia.
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Syrians like the singing of birds, for there are many cages with birds along streets not always well protected against scorching sun.
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Ruins of the ancient city of Apamea first built by Greeks in 3th BC.
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In 64 BC. The city was conquered by the Romans.
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Apamea.
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Apamea.
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A ruined building from one of a settlements called "dead cities" which dates back to 5th century.
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The cities were inhabited mainly by Christians, therefore many emblems and house decorations show Christian architecture.
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In Islam, Friday is the day off from school and work and the ruins draw entire families together for picnics and leisure.
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The citadel of Aleppo.
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Ibrahim Hanano's mosque.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo.
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The Great Mosque of Aleppo is just 10 year younger sibling of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
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This 45 meter minaret built in 1092 year is the only remaining original part of the mosque as the mosque was destroyed and rebuild countess times.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo. The sign of Kabba on the wall of the house indicates that the householders have undergone the holly pilgrimage to Mecca.
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Aleppo.
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Aleppo is known among various things but one of them is a unique soap made of olive and laurel oil. The soap is sold in many shops for kilograms.
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Zatar - a blend of spices popular in the middle east.
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Pita - a type of round flat bread. Almost every morning Syrian bakeries are besieged by locals to obtain the common commodity.
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Still hot bread is spread out to cool it down and eliminate any excess of humidity.
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Aleppo. On the way from a bakery.
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Aleppo. On the way from a bakery.
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Aleppo. On the way from a bakery.
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Aleppo.
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The Church of Saint Simeon Stylites from 5th century.
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The boulder on pedestal it is all that remains after once 18 m. high column on which Saint Simon was sitting.
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Ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Ishtar in Ain Dara.
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The Hittite temple was flourishing between 1300 and 740 y. BC.
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The 91 cm long foot prints on the threshold of the temple may symbolize the entrance of the goddess to the temple.
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The salt lake Jabbul.
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The salt lake Jabbul.
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An ancient city Dura Europos by the bank of Euphrates.
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Euphrates.
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An irrigation system on the bank of Euphrates river.
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The town Tadmur better known under its Greek counterpart Palmyra.
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The ruins of Palmyra.
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On the mount towering over the ruins there is an Arab castle from c17th (Qal'at Ibn Maan).
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Before the castle was surrounded by a moat but now it is surrounded by tourist and touts.
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The valley of the tombs in Palmyra.
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A tomb is a few story building with square base. On each floor there are several compartments for laying coffins.
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The Great Tetrapylon.
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Tetrapylon in Greek means four gates or four columns. In Palmyra it is situated on the main crossways.
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A triumphal arch.
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In Palmyra as in many other archaeological sits in Syria, excavations are a common site.
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