Damascus, Syria; July 2008.
The Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus was originally built as a Byzantine church, with a long oblong sanctuary where John the Baptist has his tomb and the adjoining high-walled courtyard. To enter, you must remove your shoes and anyone who is not dressed from head to toe must don robes that are given as part of the entry ticket. The courtyard is a lovely refuge away from the bustle of the market and many locals use it as a place for rest and relaxation, propping themselves up against the walls and columns. Meanwhile children run up and down the vast expanse of marble, laughing and shouting – it would be heaven for heelies if shoes were allowed.
This was submitted to Photo Friday, a new feature fellow blogger Debbie has introduced at DeliciousBaby. Head over to see this week’s submissions.
Thanks so much for sharing this picture on Photo Friday.
This just looks so amazingly peaceful to me right now, I wish I could be transported there right now. It must be a welcome respite from the heat and bustle of Damascus.