DAMASCUS

Once the legendary dynasty of the Omayyads had chosen Damascus as its capital in the 7th century, the Syrian city acquired a fabulous reputation. For almost 100 years, Damascus was the cultural linchpin of the world, a city where the most learned men of the Mediterranean region lived and the most skillful craftsmen worked. The Omayyad caliphs contributed to this golden age; they summoned the most skilled craftsmen in Byzantium to work on the mosaics in the newly constructed Omayyad Mosque. The name "Damascus," however, is closely connected not only with Islamic history, but also with Christianity. The nearby Mount Kassyoum is regarded as the place where Cain is said to have murdered Abel. The apostle Paul met his destiny at Damascus: here he underwent his conversion. Even today there are still numerous Christian communities in this historic city.