Damascus · 8th century
The Umayyad Mosque
Completed in 715 on the site of a Byzantine church, and a temple of Jupiter before that. Entry is 500 SYP; go early or after mid-afternoon for a quiet courtyard.
- Opening hours
- 08:00–20:00, outside prayer times
- Entry
- 500 SYP
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Best time
- Early morning or after mid-afternoon
- Period
- Umayyad
- Address
- Old City, Damascus
Completed in 715. Before it stood a Byzantine church, and before that a temple of Jupiter; the gold mosaics on the west wall of the courtyard are the most striking piece left from that first version.
Women are given an abaya at the entrance. The courtyard fills up around midday prayer — early morning or after mid-afternoon is quieter.
Tips
- Wait for the morning light if you want to see the courtyard mosaics
- Shoes come off at the entrance — bring socks
- The Dome of the Treasury is on the west side of the courtyard; most visitors walk straight past it