Dating to 1955, this silent travelogue shows Damascus, Syria. Exact production dates are unclear; it may have been filmed during the regime of Adib al-Shishakli, or when Hashim al-Atassi or Hashim al-Atassi was president. Here, Damascus appears as a well manicured, orderly city with beautiful buildings. Damascus remains the capital and culture center of Syria. It has a rich history embedded in religion often considered the fourth holiest city in Islam. Damascus is nestled along the eastern foothills of the Anti-lebanon mountain range erected on a strategic site on a plateau above sea level. The Barada river feeds the water supply. The city’s birth traces to the second portion of the seventh millennium BC. “Damascus, Syria” includes wide and narrow views of the city covering landscape, architecture, religious sites such as the Qal’a Dimasq, the Al Marjeh Square, some of the ancient gates of the city and personal shots of locals including the ice cream parlor cart pushing across a residential neighborhood and a young boy cutting across traffic between covered jeeps and donkey carts. Later sections provide tours of the Mosque of Damascus and the Al Azaem Palace. Color is immaculately preserved. Damascus is known by poets as the ‘City of Jasmine.’ Architecturally, it is a blend of roman, byzantine and Islamic influence. Inward-oriented, courtyard homes are completed with understated exteriors and often erected with limestone showcasing intricate mosaics and tile work.

The film opens on the ridges of the Anti-lebanon mountains also called Mount Amana (:17). Shots pan over white pillars of the city (:22). The heart of Damascus snaps into view (:35). The Qala’a Dimashq; a palace, fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site stands center shot near the old walled medina and the Barada River. Intimate views from the ground watch locals cart goods over narrow roads (:59). Four miles out from the city, covered military jeeps, black trains (1:09) and a local boy in light tan clothing mirroring the mountains cross the street (1:15). A section highlights the intricacy of architecture, an International Harvester R-Series Superior Coach Bus (1:59) passes modern homes and a red gate peels back (2:10) over another condo home. More intimate street scenes follow; a yellow convertible precedes the local ice cream parlor cart (2:19). The view tours a residential home, bubbling bird bath (2:23), garden roses (2:42) and a woman in pastels and pearls enjoys balcony views(2:55). Local attire gets a focus, a man in a red fez crosses the pavement (3:04). A couple follows under thin white veils (3:07). Ayn al-Fijeh Water Headquarters (3:27), Al Marjeh Square (3:36), Hejaz Railway Station (3:47). The historic market the Souq Al Shinasiyah (4:15), the Sinan Pasha Mosque (4:17) and the Minaret of Jesus at the Umayyad Mosque (4:19). The Anti-Lebanon mountains and the city (5:00). The Dervish Mosque (5:03) and gates of the old city including Bab Touma (5:50), Bab Sharqi (6:43) and Bab Kisan (6:48). The seven gates are considered geographic landmarks of Christianity. A triage tours the Beit Nizam from the entryway (6:57) through the courtyard (7:14) with intricate mosaics littering the walls (7:46). They smoke hookah in the courtyard (8:20). Biet Nizam aka Nizam House erected in 1760. Tetrapylon at the crossroads of the main colonnaded (8:50). This stoic monument marked the major intersection until 2017 as it was destroyed in an attack from ISIS. Ground views move though narrow alleyways (8:54). Shopkeepers entertain local patrons (9:15) as the camera captures the intricacy of local handcrafted goods (9:25). Locals fill the streets in red fez hats (9:40). The Damascus Parliament Building (9:42) and mosaics of the Al Azem Palace (9:56) follow. Two women in red dress with gold trim stand near a water fountain (10:21). A female artisan engraves a stone (10:26). Carts (10:46) and cyclists moving down a lush dirt road (10:48). Arabic letters note the end (11:23); al-nihaya.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com