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INSIGHT SYRIA
 Fate has placed Syria at the turning point of historical events for thousands of years. Today, visitors to Syria are spoiled for choice of important sites to visit: the great mosque of Damascus, the temples at Palmyra, the Citadel of Aleppo and more. But what most visitors remember most is the warmth, grace, and overwhelming hospitality of Syria's people. A key region of the Ottoman Empire, Syria retains much of the grace and elegance associated with the Ottoman period at its best.
Start your journey in Damascus , where history is alive and omnipresent. Located on the banks of the Barada River, a lush oasis attracted traders, rulers and warriors throughout the years. Wander the Old Quarter , with its busy souks and narrow streets, lined with Ottoman houses. Start with a stroll through the Hamidiyeh Souk , where local people shop for fabric, clothes, and everyday household items. It is also the place to hunt for antique silver and carpets. Continue on to the Umayyad Mosque , one of the key pilgrimage sites of Islam. Built on a site dedicated to fertility gods in the 2nd Millennium BC, the Mosque was built in 8-th century. The painted ceiling and the elaborate mosaics are amongst the wealth of features that make the Mosque so impressive. Walk along Straight Street , a living museum of Greek and Roman sites, palaces, and churches. The Citadel is a testament to the many historical eras that have left their mark on Syria and the surrounding area. Damascus offers visitors a wealth of excellent museums, including the Museum of Popular Tradition: a pleasure palace of courtyards, fountains, and Ottoman splendor. It also houses exceptional pottery, carpets and embroidery. There is also a Museum of Arab Science and Medicine : this crucial aspect of world history is celebrated amongst the elegant setting of a 12th century medical school, which was the finest of its time. The unmissable National Museum introduces visitors to the many epochs of Syria's history: Classical, Arab, Byzantine and Ottoman artifacts are displayed. The Museum includes the famed frescoes of the Dura Europos Synagogue, re-discovered in the 1930's. Unwind after a day's touring and shopping in one of the city's elegant hammams.
Travel to Crac De Chevaliers , described by that great explorer T E Lawrence as the 'Most wholly admirable castle in the world'. This spectacular mountain stronghold is the largest Crusader castle in the Middle East and the best preserved - it is a highlight of any visit to Syria. Nearby is the Phoenician island of Arwad , where the Crusaders made their last stand in Syria. Visit the remains at Ugarit , one of the most important Bronze Age sites in the Middle East.
Aleppo attracts visitors with its magnificent Citadel - note the superb carvings that adorn its gateway. Aleppo's stone-vaulted souks are cool, refreshing and atmospheric, and a meeting place for Arab, Kurdish, Turkish, Iranian and Armenian traders. The Museum has excellent pieces of Syro-Hittite art, from the post-Hittite civilizations that thrived in Syria in the 9th century BC. Spend a day touring the Church of St. Simeon , the most important Christian monument of the Byzantine era. Built in honor of the pillar-perching ascetic, the church's construction attracted artisans from Constantinople and Antioch. The surrounding area is riddled with 'Dead Cities' of Byzantium, which, in their heyday, thrived amidst the limestone hills of the Belus Massif. Largely intact, these cities offer visitors a unique window of insight into life here over millennia ago.
No visit to Syria is complete without a trip to Palmyra , a desert city alive with Roman remains. This desert oasis was one of the most important oasis trading posts of the area, with Greeks, Parthians and Romans dominating at different times. Palmyrene's distinctive art style is a unique blend of early, fluid Greco-Roman traditions, and more formal, rigid Parthian elements. The city is famed for its powerful Queen Zenobia, who fought the Roman forces. Explore the Valley of the Tombs that housed the remains of wealthy families. The Temple of Bel is a testament to the Pantheistic traditions of the region. Visit the Museum, with a display of jewelry, coins, glassware, pottery and other remains excavated from the site. Palmyra is also the location of the Desert Festival each spring, where camel races fill the day and folk dancing and music are held inside the Roman theater.
Visit Ma'alula in the mountains, where Aramaic speakers live in pastel painted houses set amidst sheer cliffs of the Qallamoun Mountains. The surrounding area is home to the Convent of St. Takla , an early Christian martyr. Many other churches can be found in this remote region, its caves popular amongst early Christians seeking a safe place to practice their faith in peace. Nearby is the Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya , an important pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims alike: the Virgin Mary icon is believed to cure infertility.
Visit Dura Europos , an ancient city overlooking the Euphrates River. This Hellenistic city is considered by some archaeologists to be the Pompeii of the Syrian Desert due to the sheer breadth of remains found here, including wood, textiles leather and other items that rarely survive the ravages of time. Lattakia is Syria's main port, with a lively, cosmopolitan feel markedly different from the rest of the country. The nearby site of Ugarit is the Middle East's premier Bronze Age site, with the remains of an elaborate palace complex from 1400 BC. Apamea flourished as a trading city under the Romans, its wealth funding cultural and intellectual pursuits. Visit its daunting Citadel , and stroll its colonnaded street: the city's many remains have been superbly restored over the years.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and a visa are required. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Syria. Entry to Syria is not granted to persons with passports bearing an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps, or to persons born in the Gaza region or of Gazan descent. Entry into Syria via the land border with Israel is not possible. Foreigners who wish to stay 15 days or more in Syria must register with Syrian Immigration by their 15th day in Syria. Americans between the ages of 18 and 45 who are of Syrian birth or recent descent are subject to the Syrian compulsory military service requirement, unless they receive an exemption from the Syrian Embassy in the United States prior to their entry into Syria. An AIDS test is not required for foreigners prior to arrival in Syria.
- Syria Country Highlights
- Syria Country & Its People
However, tests are mandatory for foreigners (age 15 to 60) wishing to reside in Syria. The AIDS test must be conducted in Syria at a facility approved by the Syrian Ministry of Health. A residence permit will not be issued until the absence of the HIV virus has been determined. Foreigners wishing to marry Syrian nationals must also be tested for HIV. For further entry information, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic, 2215 Wyoming Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 232-6313.
American citizens are cautioned that the Syrian government rigidly enforces restrictions on prior travel to Israel. Travelers with Israeli stamps in their passports, Jordanian entry cachets or cachets from other countries which suggest prior travel to Israel, or the absence of any entry stamps from a country adjacent to Israel which the traveler has just visited, will cause Syrian immigration authorities to refuse the traveler admission to Syria. In one case in 1998, a group of American citizen travelers suspected of traveling to Israel were detained overnight for questioning.
Although Syria is a signatory to the Vienna Convention, consular notification and access to arrested Americans is problematic. Syrian officials generally do not notify the American Embassy when American citizens are arrested. When the American Embassy learns of arrests of Americans and requests consular access, individual police officials have, on their own initiative, responded promptly and allowed consular officers to visit the prisoners. However, security officials have also in the past denied Embassy requests for consular access.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Basic medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of Syria, but not necessarily in outlying areas. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not always provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including a provision for emergency evacuation, has proven useful. Information on health problems can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov.
INFORMATION ON CRIME Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in Syria. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa. They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
Syria is included on the Department of State?s list of state sponsors of terrorism. There is no record of terrorist attacks against Americans in Syria and Syrian government officials have repeatedly stated their commitment to protect Americans. However, a number of terrorist groups which oppose U.S. policies in the Middle East have a presence in this country.
DRUG PENALTIES: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs for personal use are severe in Syria. The penalty in Syria for growing, processing or smuggling drugs is the death penalty, which may be reduced to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Driving in Syria requires great caution. Although drivers generally follow traffic signs and signals, they often maneuver aggressively and show little regard to vehicles traveling behind them. Lane markings are usually ignored. Unlike the U.S., vehicles within Syrian traffic circles must give way to oncoming traffic. Pedestrians must also exercise caution. Parked cars, deteriorating pavement, and guard posts present obstacles on sidewalks, often forcing pedestrians to walk in the street.
CURRENCY REGULATIONS: Syrian currency cannot be exchanged for any other currency except at government-approved exchange centers within Syria. Travelers must declare all foreign currency when they enter Syria. Amounts in excess of $5,000 (US) [or $2,000 (US) for those holding dual Syrian-American nationality] are subject to confiscation upon leaving Syria.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Syria, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Syria?s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Syria?s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-229-4801.
REGISTRATION/U.S. EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security within Syria. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, is located in Abu Roumaneh, Al-Mansur St. No. 2; P.O. Box 29. Telephone numbers are (963) (11) 333-2814, 332-0783, 333-0788, and 333-3232. Fax number is (963) (11) 331-9678. |
adventurers have always been attracted by the plethora of antiquities, situated amongst snow-capped mountains, stark valleys, and harsh, beautiful desert landscapes. Jordan, Syria and Lebanon have all been home to groundbreaking civilizations: this is the birthplace of modern history, rich in castles, ruins, and archaeological sites. Visit Roman ruins and Crusader castles; lose yourself in souks, the center of trade in spices, carpets, and clothes. This region is also a place of great natural beauty, with fine snorkeling to be had in the Red Sea, and challenging rock climbing, and gentle scenic walks, on offer at Wadi Rum. Throughout the Middle East, you will be welcomed by hospitable, gracious local people, who will treat you as their honored guest throughout your unforgettable journey. 
