The Qaimariya neighborhood in Old Damascus stretches between the Umayyad Mosque to the west and Bab Tuma to the east, retaining the features of its ancient houses and its narrow, intertwined alleys. Its restaurants and shops add vitality to the place, making it a destination for visitors to discover Damascus’s heritage and daily life details.
Tourist guide Hussein Mosa’ih told SANA that the neighborhood is one of the important historical neighborhoods in Old Damascus due to the civilizational and architectural legacy it preserves, which reflects the succession of eras on the city. He pointed out that its name is linked to the Great Qaimariya School, established by Prince Nasser al-Din al-Hussein bin Abdul Aziz al-Qaimari in 1252.
Mosa’ih explained that the neighborhood includes several historical landmarks, including old schools and mosques, and the Bakri and Qaimariya hammams. He noted that its alleys, houses with internal courtyards and fountains, and its ornate wooden doors still retain features of traditional Damascene architecture, offering visitors a picture of the lifestyles that characterized the city in different historical stages.
Mosa’ih pointed out that Old Damascus was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, and the Qaimariya neighborhood forms part of its historical urban fabric, which embodies its civilizational and architectural value.
He noted that the area and its surroundings include religious and historical landmarks that reflect the cultural and religious diversity Damascus has known throughout the ages, including the Maronite Cathedral, one of the city’s historical churches.
The neighborhood’s uniqueness is not limited to its historical landmarks and traditional architecture; the diversity of restaurants, cafes, sweet shops, and pastry shops is part of its tourist experience. Syrian cuisine, traditional dishes, and appetizers coexist with varieties from other cuisines, catering to the tastes of visitors from within and outside Syria.
Ghassan Al-Mulla, owner of a sweet and pastry shop, explained that Qaimariya’s location in the heart of Old Damascus and its heritage reputation contribute to attracting visitors, enhancing its status as a destination that combines strolling through its historical alleys with experiencing Damascene food and sweets.
For his part, Adnan Lee, owner of a Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood, explained that his choice of Qaimariya to open his business was due to its vital location and the diversity of its visitors, who come from different nationalities and cultures. This allows for offering a diverse culinary experience to residents and tourists. He pointed out that there are common ground between Syrian and Chinese cultures in appreciating food and its place in social life.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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