Inhabited since prehistoric times, this city is widely considered to be the world's oldest city. Today it's the capital of its country. Which city is this?

While several ancient settlements vie for the title of the world's oldest, this Syrian capital has one of the strongest claims to being the oldest *continuously inhabited* city. Archaeological evidence suggests the area has been settled for as long as 11,000 years, making it a place where millennia of human history intersect with the daily life of a modern national capital.

The city's incredible longevity means it has been a part of countless civilizations. It was a major center for the Aramaeans, was conquered by Alexander the Great (Review), and became a prominent city in the Roman Empire. It is even mentioned in the Bible, home to the "Street Called Straight" where Saint Paul is said to have stayed. Its importance soared when it became the capital of the powerful Umayyad Caliphate in the 7th century, which cemented its status as a major cultural and religious hub in the Islamic world.

This rich, layered past is most visible today within the walls of its Old City, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Landmarks like the magnificent Umayyad Mosque stand on sites that previously held a Christian basilica and, before that, a Roman temple to Jupiter. Its ancient souqs (markets) and labyrinthine alleyways have been centers of commerce and culture for thousands of years, offering a living connection to a truly ancient past.