The Umayyad Mosque (Damascus, Syria) is one of the most magnificent and oldest temple buildings in the world. It is also called the Great Mosque of Damascus. The value of this building for the architectural heritage of the country is simply enormous. Its location is also symbolic. The Umayyad Grand Mosque is located in Damascus - the oldest city in Syria.
Historical background
The Umayyad Mosque is located in the capital of Syria - Damascus. Archaeologists claim that this city is about 10,000 years old. Throughout the world of ancient Damascus, there is only one city - Jericho in Palestine. Damascus is the largest religious center of the entire Levant, and its highlight is rightfully the Umayyad Mosque. Levant is a generic name for all countries of the eastern direction of the Mediterranean, such as Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, etc.
After a visit to Damascus by the Apostle Paul, a new religious movement appeared in the city - Christianity. And the fact that Damascus is mentioned several times in the Bible is also no coincidence. The end of the XI century became crucial for the city. He was subdued by the king of the state of Israel, David. Gradually, the Aramaic tribes in this territory began the foundation of a new kingdom, which then included Palestine. In 333 BC Damascus was captured by the army of Alexander of Macedon, and in 66 the Roman army, after which it became a province of Syria.
Umayyad Mosque (Damascus). The Chronicles
At the site of the construction of the mosque in the Aramaic era (about 3 thousand years ago) was the Temple of Hadad, in which the Aramaeans held divine services. Chronicles testify that Jesus Christ himself spoke their language. This is evidenced by excavations, thanks to which basalt steles with the image of the sphinx were found in the northeast corner of the Great Mosque. In the subsequent Roman era, the Temple of Jupiter rose at the same place. In the Byzantine era, on the orders of Emperor Theodosius, the pagan temple was destroyed and the church of St. Zachariah was built in its place, which was later renamed the Church of John the Baptist.
It is noteworthy that this church was a refuge not only for Christians, but also for Muslims. For 70 years, church services were held for two denominations simultaneously. Therefore, when the Arabs conquered Damascus in 636, they did not touch this building. Moreover, the Muslims built a small brick extension to the temple on the south side.
Mosque construction
When the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I ascended the throne, it was decided to redeem the church from Christians. Then it was destroyed and an existing mosque was built in its place. Caliph Al-Walid I planned to create the main religious building for Muslims. He wanted the building to be distinguished by special architectural beauty from all Christian buildings. The fact is that in Syria there were Christian churches, favorably distinguished by beauty and splendor. The Caliph wanted the mosque built by him to attract more attention, so it should become even more beautiful. His ideas were realized by the best architects and craftsmen from the Maghreb, India, Rome and Persia. All funds spent at that time in the state treasury were spent on the construction of the mosque. The Byzantine emperor, as well as some Muslim rulers, contributed to the construction of the mosque. They provided many mosaics and gems.
Building architecture
The Great Mosque of Damascus or the Mosque of Umayyads is hiding from the bustle of the big city behind the massive walls. On the left side of the entrance you can see a huge wooden cart on wheels of impressive size. Rumor has it that this is a war chariot, preserved from the time of Ancient Rome. Although some believe that this wagon was a ram device during the assault on Damascus, left by Tamerlane.
Outside the gates of the mosque opens a spacious courtyard, lined with marble black and white slabs. The walls are made of onyx. On all sides, the courtyard is surrounded by a colonnade in the shape of a rectangle 125 meters long and 50 meters wide. You can enter the Umayyad Mosque from four sides through the gate. The prayer hall occupies one side; along the perimeter, the courtyard is surrounded by a painted vaulted gallery richly decorated with images of paradise gardens and golden mosaics. In the very center of the courtyard there is a swimming pool and a fountain.
Prophecy tower
Of particular value are the minarets, which are preserved almost intact. In 1488, they were partially restored. The minaret, located in a southeast direction, is dedicated to the prophet Isa (Jesus) and bears his name. The minaret looks like a quadrangular tower that looks like a pencil. This minaret is especially famous for the Umayyad Mosque.
The prophecy of the tower says that before the Last Judgment in the second coming, Jesus Christ will descend through this minaret. When He enters the mosque, He will resurrect the Prophet Yahya. Then both of them will go to Jerusalem to establish justice on Earth. That is why every day a new carpet is laid on the place where the Savior’s leg supposedly steps. Opposite the minaret of Jesus is the minaret of the Bride or al-Aruk. On the western side is the al-Garbiya minaret, which was built in the 15th century.
The interior of the mosque
The facade of the courtyard of the mosque is lined with colorful marble. Some areas are decorated with mosaics and covered with gilding. For a long time, a dense layer of plaster hid all this beauty, and only in 1927, thanks to skillful restorers, it became available for contemplation.
The interior of the mosque is no less beautiful. The walls are inlaid with marble, and carpets spread on the floors. In total there are more than five thousand. The prayer hall is impressive in size. It is 136 meters long and 37 meters wide. All of it is covered with wooden flooring, Corinthian columns rise along its perimeter. The center of the hall is occupied by four painted columns supporting a huge dome. Of particular value are the murals and mosaics on the columns.
The tomb of Yahya
The south side of the prayer hall is occupied by four mihrabs. One of the main shrines of the mosque is the tomb of Hussein ibn Ali, who, according to legend, was the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, is located on the eastern side of the courtyard. The entrance to the relic is hidden behind small doors deep in the courtyard. The tomb is located in the Hussein Chapel. According to legend, the grandson of the prophet was killed at the battle of Karbala in 681. The cut off head of Hussein was presented to the ruler of Syria, who ordered to hang it on the very spot where the head of John the Baptist once hung on the orders of King Herod. Legend has it that the birds then began to make sad trills and all the inhabitants cried tirelessly. Then the ruler repented and gave the order to wrap his head in a golden tomb and place it in a crypt, which later turned out to be in a mosque. Muslims claim that the tomb also contains the hair of the Prophet Muhammad, which he cut off when he last visited Mecca.
Tomb of John the Baptist
Also in the prayer hall is the tomb with the head of John the Baptist. When the foundation was laid for the mosque, the builders discovered a grave. According to Syrian Christians, it was the burial of John the Baptist. Caliph Ibn Walida gave the order to leave the grave in its former place. Thus she found herself in the very center of the prayer hall. The white marble tomb is surrounded by niches of green glass, through which you can put a note to the prophet Yahya or give him a gift. According to archimandrite Alexander Elisov, in the tomb is only part of the head of John the Baptist. The remaining parts of the relics are hidden in Athos, Amiens and in the temple of Pope Sylvester in Rome.
A small garden adjoins the northern part of the mosque, in which the tomb of Salah ad-Din is located.
Test
Like any other shrine, the Umayyad Mosque has gone through many trials. Parts of it burned several times. The mosque also suffered from natural disasters. In 1176, 1200 and 1759, strong earthquakes struck the city. After the reign of the Umayyad dynasty on Syria, the Mongols, Seljuks and Ottomans made devastating raids several times. Despite all the difficulties, the only building that quickly rebuilt and delighted its parishioners was the Umayyad Mosque. Syria is still proud of the indestructible power of this unique cultural monument.
Rules for staying in a mosque
The Umayyad Mosque (Damascus) is a welcoming place for people of any faith. Parishioners within its walls do not feel restrained, on the contrary, they behave quite relaxed. Here you can see those who perform namaz, those who read the scriptures. Here you can just sit and enjoy the holiness of this place, you can even lie. Sometimes you can even meet sleeping people. The servants of the mosque are democratic towards everyone, they do not expel or condemn anyone. Children are very fond of riding on the polished marble floor. Tourists can visit the Umayyad Mosque (Syria) for a small fee on any day except Friday. Shoes should be removed at the entrance to the mosque. It can be deposited with ministers for an additional fee or carried with you. For women, special clothing is provided in the form of black capes, which is also issued at the entrance. It should be borne in mind that in Syria it is almost always very hot, so the marble floor in the mosque is sometimes heated to the limit. Barefoot on such a surface is almost impossible to move around, so it is better to bring socks with you.
Muslims from around the world seek to visit the Umayyad Mosque (Syria) at least once. In Damascus, this is the most crowded place.