Salach travel guide and discussion

The Syrian Arab Republic, abbreviated as Syria. It borders Turkey to the north, Iraq to the southeast, Jordan to the south, Lebanon and Israel to the southwest, and faces Cyprus across the sea to the west. The capital is Damascus, historically known as Dimashq, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Damascus was once the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate of the Arab Empire and is famously called the "Garden of the World" and "Paradise on Earth." Damascus was established between 2600 and 2400 BC. In the 19th century BC, it was designated the capital of the Kingdom of Shamash and has since been valued by successive dynasties, despite suffering multiple invasions and destructions. After the Roman and Byzantine Empires were replaced by the Arab Empire, Damascus reached its historical peak during the Umayyad period but was severely damaged during the Abbasid Caliphate. In the 12th century, Saladin commanded the battle here that defeated the European Crusaders. From the 16th century to the early 20th century, Damascus was under Ottoman Turkish rule, followed by over 30 years of French control. On April 17, 1946, Syria overthrew French colonial rule and declared independence. Figure 1: The bronze equestrian statue of Saladin, designed by Syrian sculptor Abdallah al-Sayed and unveiled in 1993 by then Syrian President Hafez al-Assad to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Saladin’s death. Made of bronze, it depicts Saladin standing on horseback during his victory at the Battle of Hattin, accompanied by a swordsman, with the crown of the Kingdom of Jerusalem engraved on the ground. Figures 3: Damascus Central Court, located adjacent to the Old City, close to the Umayyad Mosque and the Citadel of Damascus, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. It serves as a transitional zone between the modern urban functional area and the historical cultural core. Figures 6-9: Souq Al-Hamidiya in Damascus, Syria, is the most representative traditional market in Damascus and Syria, and one of the oldest covered markets in the Middle East. The market’s origins date back to the Roman period, with its modern form established during the 19th century Ottoman rule, constructed under the reigns of Abdul Hamid I and II, hence the name "Hamidiya." The main street is about 600 meters long, starting from the Citadel of Damascus in the west and connecting to the Umayyad Mosque Square in the east. Its stone pavement is built on the ruins of an ancient Roman theater, forming the city’s core link between commerce and religion. Figures 10-14: The ruins of the ancient Roman Temple of Jupiter next to the Umayyad Mosque Square in Damascus, Syria. The site was originally an 8th-century BC Aramean temple dedicated to the storm god Hadad-Rimmon. After the Roman conquest of Damascus in 64 BC, it was transformed into a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, begun during Augustus’s reign and completed under Constantine II. In 392 AD, when Christianity became the state religion of Rome, the temple was converted into the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. In 705 AD, the Umayyad Caliph Walid I rebuilt it as the Umayyad Mosque. Today, only some columns and arches remain. Figure 20: Four Seasons Hotel Damascus

From December to March of the following year is the prime season for French black truffles, when their aroma is strongest and prices are at their peak. If you want to enjoy the best, the first choice is the "home" of black truffles—Périgord. Of course, black truffles are also available in summer, but their flavor is completely different from the winter variety, and the price can be more than ten times lower. As early as the Renaissance, truffles quietly made their way onto tables. In France, they are regarded as rare and mysterious ingredients, said to have aphrodisiac effects. Since the time of Louis XIV, truffles have frequently appeared at royal banquets and noble tables, with the most famous being the black truffles from Périgord. By the 17th and 18th centuries, Périgord black truffles had become the favorite of royal chefs across Europe, earning the nickname "Périgord Black Gold." "Périgord" is the old name for what is now the Dordogne department in southwestern France. During the French Revolution, administrative regions were reorganized, and this area was officially renamed Dordogne after the river that flows through it. Rich in nature and resources, locals traditionally divide Périgord into four "colors" based on its most representative landscapes and specialties. Following Périgord’s "color map," winter in Périgord Noir (Black Périgord) is undoubtedly the season for truffles. From lively truffle markets to the annual truffle festival, all stories about truffles revolve around this small town—Sarlat, officially known as "Sarlat-la-Canéda."

Haleribedi, a small village today, was once the new capital of the South Indian Hoysala Dynasty (1026-1343), replacing the old capital Belur. The Hoysaleswara Temple is located at the center of this village and is a typical example of mid-period Hoysala architecture. Surrounding the village's coconut groves are several other Hoysala temples and a Jain temple complex, all exquisitely built in a serene environment. The temple features the star-shaped layout characteristic of the Hoysala dynasty and is relatively low in height. Its finely crafted gray-black soapstone walls are adorned with bas-relief friezes depicting figures and animals, resembling giant folding screens. During this period and in this region, temple sculptors began to frequently sign their works.