The Medina
The Medina, or Old City, dates back to the 4th century. It was built on the site of the Roman city of Oea, using stone and columns taken from the destroyed Roman structures. It has changed little since then, and presents a great means for drifting back in time as one wanders its narrow streets and souqs.
The Medina is surrounded almost entirely by a great wall (lower in photo). The main street rising up from the lower right separates that side of the Medina from the more modern city.
The main entrance to the Medina is through this arched portal off the Green Square, just off the waterfront. On a Friday morning, the Islamic day for prayer, the Square and Medina are totally void of the normal crowds of people.
A look through the portal shows the empty streets and shuttered shops. Only the shop to the left selling camel saddle blankets and curios for tourists is open. So, let's return on a busy evening during the work week and see what the real scene looks like.
Seven o'clock on a Tuesday evening shows the difference.
The main street.
Turn left and you begin to enter the gold souq
This two story plaza is the heart of the gold souq. Also a good spot for some mint tea from a small tea shop. Check out the Roman columns.
Head north from the gold and you will come across a vast mix of shops arranged by products. This is the entry to one of the clothing and cloth material souqs.
The Leather section.
Curios and saddle blankets.
Our hassak vender is sitting over there behind the pile of carpets and stuff. Can you find him?
Just about everything, and then some...
More curios and souveners.
Our favorite shop of all - the Ben Zeglam Shop.
The narrow streets north of the main building are filled to the brim with vendors.
The metalsmiths area offers some neat lamps and decorations for your temple minaret.
North of the souqs the streets aren't nearly as crowded. There are many mosques, some quite beautiful.
This is the Ahmed Pasha Karamanli mosque near the Green Square.
Buried inside are Ahmed Pasha and his family.
This is one of many gates into the Medina - this in the north east sector.
Working one's way to the far north, the narrow streets contain housing for many working class locals. This portal is braced by a pair of Roman columns. If you walk straight up this path for about 200 meters, and turn right, you will be looking at the Marcus Arelius Arch.
And here it is. Just in time for dinner.
Outside the wall at the far north west corner of the Medina an active swap meet takes place. Local workers sell used items of every sort, from furniture to clothing.