The Citadel, dating back to the 1100th century, is almost in ruins due to an earthquake. But, due to its size, it is an important sight in Aleppo. The only buildings that survived the quake were the Nur ad-Din Mosque dating back to the 13th century and the somewhat smaller Abraham Mosque. You will enjoy a walk on the old stonewalls and please enjoy the view.
The Souq is for some parts 700 years old and has since then been the trading centre for both Europeans and Osmanians, which individually has set their traces in architecture and the streets. The Khan al-Jumruk is one of several trading places inside the souq, and probably the most impressive one. These places used to function as a type of inns, where traders could store their products, get a cup of coffee and a secure place to sleep, away from thieves and other suspicious persons.
With a microbus and hitchhiking, you will reach the St Simon Basilica after about one and a half hour from Aleppo, on the other side of the village Daret' Azze. The Basilica was built in the honours of St Simon, probably the world's first man sitting on a pile and most likely the most persevering. During 36 years, until his death in 459, he sat on several columns where the Basilica stands today.
You should also take your time to see the grave of Saladdin, situated in a small garden north of the Umayyad Mosque. Saladdin is one of the Muslims' great heroes from the beginning of the 2nd century, where he, among other things, had crusaders expelled from Jerusalem so that the city again could be under a Muslim regime.
The souq in the old part of Damascus contains chaos of roofed streets and an excellent possibility for the curious tourist to make a bargain in one of the many crafts shops. The stores are primarily targeted at the locals, and shoppers can therefore shop peacefully, without disturbing elements as insistent salesmen.
The Turkish baths can be found several places in Damascus. The bathes are a wonderful oasis in a noisy and dirty city. You should grant yourself a bath under the treatment of the professional bath attendant. Even though it may hurt when a bath attendant really gets down to it, you will leave with a wonderful sense of being reborn. Unfortunately, women are not allowed the same treat as men. However, with some on-site research, it should be possible to find a bath that is also open to women.
The most popular sight in Damascus is one of the most magnificent mosques in the Middle East, the Umayyad Mosque. It was built in the year 705 on the ruins of a Christian cathedral, which was built on top of a Roman temple. Today, the mosque stands almost in its original state, even though a fire, among other things, has destroyed the original building. Tourists come here especially to see the wonderfully beautiful gold mosaics, which decorate the walls in the yard. But, also on the inside, this enormous mosque is a masterpiece, which makes it very popular. Tourists are welcome, and photographing is allowed if people are properly dressed and do not enter the mosque during the Friday prayer.
Even though the last knight left the castle in 1271, the place still looks as if it has only been a few minutes since the last crusader left the place. The castle has many amazing details, and if one were to be mentioned, it will be the arcade, which with its Gothic facade is almost indescribably beautiful. In the mosque next to the pulpit is the only thing left in the crusaders' chapel. Moreover, you should not forget to see the large hall, the baths and not least the tower commanding a wide view.
The only sight, but a most extraordinary one, is the ruins, and here the Baal-shrine (or the Bel Temple) dating back to Roman time, is the most interesting. As the most well-preserved part of town, you will here get the most realistic impression of the past. Besides the temple, the column street is another sight as well as the theatre, which was buried in sand up until the 1950s. Today, this area has been restored, and some people will undoubtedly think that it has been modernised too much.