Syria Photo Guide

Wednesday, January 7th, 2015

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From Daniel Demeter

Syria Photo Guide is my attempt to share with the world the immense beauty and rich heritage of the country in which I spent several wonderful years. The website was originally envisioned to serve as a guide for travelers wishing to explore Syria’s incredible range of archaeological, cultural and natural sites, and I began work on the project in 2006. Given the horrific conflict that has engulfed the country since 2011, I hope my website will inspire those working to preserve and protect Syria’s wealth of historic sites and provide a resource for those interested in learning more about Syria’s history and culture.

I first visited Syria in 2003, and quickly found myself becoming deeply immersed in the country’s people, culture and history. Despite having traveled to over thirty countries prior to visiting Syria, nowhere had I encountered people so welcoming and hospitable. The country’s amazing diversity, fascinating history, and incredible variety of archaeological sites and natural attractions amazed me. Having initially planned only a few weeks in the country, I spent over nine months there. I cancelled plans to continue traveling overland through Central Asia to China, instead refocusing my journey on better understanding the Middle East.

In 2006 I undertook another trip to Syria, determined to get to know the country in even greater depth. Basing myself in Bab Sharqi, Damascus, I ended up living in Syria for nearly two full years of 2006 and 2007. In addition to teaching English at a local language center, I spent much of my time visiting, documenting and photographing Syria’s wide range of archaeological, cultural and natural attractions. I contributed articles about these sites to a local English-language magazine called “What’s On”. Through this work, Syria Photo Guide was born. My last visit to Syria was from September 2008 through March 2009. I am from Los Angeles, California and currently reside in San Luis Obispo with my wife, Rasha, who is from Mosul, Iraq.

The website currently features information and photo galleries of 235 sites throughout the country, and a total of over 8,000 high resolution photos. It remains a work in progress, and I anticipate reaching roughly 280 sites and 10,000 photos by the time I complete the project. The website is entirely non-profit and is dedicated to the Syrian people, to whom I will always be indebted for their hospitality, generosity and kindness. Any comments, suggestions or questions are welcome. I will try to address any questions made in the comments on Syria Comment, or by e-mail to info@syriaphotoguide.com.

Below is a photo gallery with a selection of some of my favorite images.

– Daniel Demeter

Comments (10)


Paul said:

Magnificent. Beautiful. Moving.

January 7th, 2015, 1:12 am

 

Altair said:

Syria’s cultural heritage and natural beauty is so rich that it could probably support a third of the country in tourist receipts, if the will was there to maintain it and continuously develop it. It actually reached about 10% of the country’s GDP prior to this ruinous conflict.

Aside from that, the story of humanity is hidden in the earth of Syria, and some of that has been attacked by looters. This is a tragedy compounded to the human suffering that the country is enduring.

Unfortunately some of the sights pictured here have already been severely damaged, especially the ones in Halab. It is of utmost importance that the conflict be resolved politically, but I still don’t see the willingness of any side to do so yet. I hope this will change this year.

It is a blight on all humanity not only that this conflict has been allowed to go on for so long, but that much of the more influential countries in the world have actually encouraged the fighting.

January 7th, 2015, 2:43 am

 

Jack said:

I first arrived in Syria the very day the killings began in Dera. In just 3 weeks I fell in love with the country and its people.Like most I never imagined the situation would become the horror it is today. So very sad.

I very much enjoy your regular postings. Syria will never be the same but through your photos we can help preserve our memories. Thank you.

January 7th, 2015, 6:07 am

 

ALAN said:

US admits civilians might have died in coalition air strikes in Syria and Iraq
The US is reviewing the possibility that civilians may have died in coalition air strikes in Iraq and Syria. Central Command is carrying out the investigation and has admitted for the first time that members of the general public could have perished.

http://www.rt.com/news/220507-us-airstrikes-civilians-killed/

January 7th, 2015, 9:00 am

 

Jasmine said:

Thank you very much for this magnificent work.

January 7th, 2015, 10:04 am

 

Arap said:

What a gorgeous country! I wish all the world have known Syria with these images, rather than bombs and posters of terrorists.

Thanks for sharing this sensational beauty.

January 7th, 2015, 12:44 pm

 

El Chino said:

What a happy, jolly country Syria is! And all the marvelous history! I must visit there someday.

January 7th, 2015, 6:16 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Syria is the beautiful mother that was betrayed by her children, what a pity

January 7th, 2015, 10:23 pm

 
 

Kamal Yazigee said:

Syria, la Syrie, Syrien ,Siria. Suriya, is a simple easy & musical name to pronounce . It is a word that means more than a world. A photo guide for Syria will contribute to the understanding of the colors and the ones of a world called Syria .

January 8th, 2015, 2:53 pm