Bab al-Faradis
باب الفراديس
One of the seven historic gates of the Old City wall of Damascus, located on the northern side near the Souq Saruja quarter.
Bab al-Faradis sits on the northern side of the Old City wall of Damascus, one of the seven historic gates surrounding the Old City since Roman times. Its name ("al-Faradis," meaning "the orchards") refers to its historical proximity to the green orchards and gardens that once surrounded Damascus on its northern side before modern urban expansion.
Like the other gates of Damascus, this gate underwent repeated reconstruction and restoration through successive Islamic eras -- Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman -- making its current design a blend of accumulated architectural layers reflecting the city's long history.
The gate today opens onto the surroundings of the historic Souq Saruja quarter, one of the old Damascene neighborhoods known for its heritage houses and distinctive Ottoman architectural style, making the whole area a good destination for those who love exploring authentic Damascene neighborhoods away from the larger tourist crowds around the Umayyad Mosque.
Bab al-Faradis remains an essential element of the historic fortifications of Old Damascus, and a witness to the defensive character that shaped the architecture of old Islamic cities across the ages.
For the visitor
Location: 33.5138, 36.3067 · Open on the map
Photos: Dosseman — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
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