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by HobWahid
Damascus, Syria
September 20, 2004
In terms of sights, the quarter is home to many churches, many of which were built recently, but there are still a few worth visiting. One of these is the Forty Martyrs Armenian Cathedral. Originally built in the 16th century, the church has undergone extensive repairs and additions, losing much of its original style, but it is still a nice place to stop by, especially if you have never seen an Armenian church before. A more imposing and impressive church, however, is the Maronite Cathedral, dating from the 1800s. Probably the best tourist stop in Jdide is the Museum of Popular Tradition, a small museum housed in an old, Ottoman-style house. Each room of the house is redecorated to how it would have looked in Ottoman times, complete with manikins dressed in traditional clothes. The museum, although a bit cheesy, is still worth a stop because it will give you a good idea of what an Ottoman house looked like. Although there are better examples throughout the former Ottoman world, this is one isn’t too bad.
Other than that just enjoy your time strolling around the quiet Jdide quarter and, if you want, return to one of the bars or cafes at for a bit of nightlife.
From journal Aleppo: Syria's Second City