CITADEL OF DAMASCUS
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The citadel is a major landmark in the old city and is situated on its main road – Al Thawra Street.
- The foundations of the Citadel of Damascus were first laid by Atsiz ibn Uwaq al-Khwarizmi in 1076 who became the first Seljuk emir of Damascus.
- The Seljuks undertook extensive construction activity in the city. The Seljuks emphasised the construction of citadels, due to the need for defense in a period in which cities constantly changed hands. They cordoned off a section of the outer city walls from the inside and transformed it into a castle to ensure a better defence structure.
- The citadel was continuously developed in the years to come and underwent many subsequent alterations.
- Nur al-Din Zangi RA captured Damascus in 1154 and took up residence in the citadel. He made significant improvements to the city’s fortifications during his rule.
Salah al-Din ibn Ayyub RA added a tower to the citadel and restored its residential buildings during his rule. - In comparison to the Citadel of Aleppo, this citadel is much less impressive being built on flat ground with no natural defences aside from the Barada River bordering its northern walls.
The citadel has been undergoing restorations throughout the past few years, but most of the interior remains in ruin.
