Time Zone |
Asia/Damascus |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Time Zone |
Asia/Nicosia |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Located in the northwestern part of the country, near the Turkish border, Aleppo, Syria is one of the oldest cities in Syria, with a history of over 4,000 years. As an important commercial transit point on the ancient Silk Road, Aleppo was once one of the busiest trading centers in the Middle East, and its strategic position has made it a crossroads of diverse civilizations. The city's Ancient City of Aleppo, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, boasts the majestic Aleppo Citadel, the magnificent Ummayad Mosque, and the meandering traditional bazaar (Bazaar of Hamidiyah), which showcases the architectural essence of Arab, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations. However, since 2011, Aleppo has suffered severe damage during the Syrian conflict, destroying some of its historical sites, and restoration work is gradually underway in an effort to rebuild the cultural and economic vitality of this thousand-year-old city. Aleppo is not only a symbol of Syria's history, but also a witness to the coexistence of human civilizations.
Paphos, located in the south-west of Cyprus, is a UNESCO World Heritage City and the birthplace of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. The 3,000-year-old city is a fusion of ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilizations: well-preserved mosaic ruins, an imposing ancient Greek theatre, and a medieval castle tell the story of its former glory. As a seaside resort, Paphos attracts tourists with its clear Mediterranean landscapes and is a pilgrimage destination for history buffs with its rich cultural heritage. Stroll along the stone paths of the old town and feel the interweaving of myth and reality, this is one of the most charming destinations in Cyprus.