Syria - The Citadel of Damascus

Research topic:

Medieval and Ottoman Islamic Archaeology. Monumental archaeology: history of development and construction techniques. Study of material culture and military arts. Enhancing the site’s heritage. Historical studies.

Overview of the archaeological site

The Citadel of Damascus is a bastion located at the north-west corner of the fortified old city. Damascus is an ancient royal city of princes who ruled over Syria at the end of the 11th century up to the 13th century and is one of the jewels in the crown of medieval military architecture in Syria. The 13th-century city wall, which is almost rectangular in shape (240 m x 160 m), is flanked by 12 towers and three monumental gates. The 13th-century Ayyubid rampart ran alongside the original rampart built at the end of the 11th century by Seljukid princes.

A large proportion of the huge surrounding wall remains intact: most of the towers have survived, including a few where three stories, the vaulted galleries linking the towers on the ground floor and the parapet have been preserved. However, the majority of buildings constructed inside the citadel have been destroyed, apart from two large complexes, which are still standing and are preserved with their original vaulting. They include a large ceremonial room with a central dome covering an area of 400 m², which leads to a gallery that links the eastern gate of the citadel to the northern gate, and a large rectangular building preserved over two stories with a surface area of 1,180 m².

Objectives of the expedition

Action of the Franco-Syrian expedition team: 2000 - 2006

In 2000, the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria asked the Franco-Syrian archaeological expedition to assume responsibility for the archaeological and monumental study of gates and buildings that were still standing and to oversee archaeological excavations in certain areas of the citadel. The expedition team also focused on training in the fields of archaeology, architectural plans and restoration. The team brought their technical and scientific expertise to bear on the restoration project for the site, which aims to open up the citadel to the public with free entry to the site and an initial visitors’ circuit to be established in the southern part of the site (towers and military galleries). Lastly, the team helped to restore the eastern royal gate dating to the medieval period, which is decorated with wall paintings.