See our Syria Map for a much larger map with cities and attractions marked.
Syria
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a Middle Eastern country that shares borders with Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. Syria has been home to a multitude of cultures and religions over its long history, from the Hittites, Canaanites, and the inhabitants of Ugarit to the Romans, Christians (Paul was famously converted on the road to Damascus) and finally Muslims, who have been the majority in the country since the 7th century.
Modern Syria is officially secular and Syrian Christians are generally able to live and worship in peace alongside their Muslim neighbors. Given its rich religious heritage, it is no surprise that Syria abounds in fascinating religious sites: ruined pagan temples dedicated to Baal and Jupiter; ancient monasteries and synagogues; and mosques, churches and shrines that are still full of worshippers.
Syria Guide
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Featured Destinations in Syria (List All Destinations) Rasafa Now an isolated ruin, this 5th-century Byzantine church was dedicated to the famous St. Sergius, a Roman soldier martyred c.303. The church was a major pilgrimage site in the Byzantine era.  This important archaeological site has been called the Pompeii of the Syrian Desert. It was abandoned in the 3rd century and is home to the oldest surviving house-church and synagogue ever found.  Damascus This historic 7th-century mosque stands on a site that has been sacred since 1000 BC. It has medieval mosaics on the facade and a shrine to John the Baptist inside. |
Syria City Guides AleppoLocated in northern Syria near Turkey, Aleppo competes with Damascus for the title of the oldest continously inhabited city in the world. Its historic center is a World Heritage Site.  DamascusDamascus, in southwestern Syria, is widely believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Its historical importance has led to the Old City's designation as a World Heritage Site. |
