Al-Midan
Al Midan الميدان | |
---|---|
Municipality | |
Midan Souk - Jezmatieh Street | |
Country | Syria |
Governorate | Damascus Governorate |
City | Damascus |
Population (2004) | |
• Total | 177,456[1] |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Climate | BSk |
33°29′N 36°17′E / 33.483°N 36.283°E / 33.483; 36.283 Al-Midan (Arabic: حي الميدان) is a neighbourhood and municipality in Damascus, Syria, south of the old walled city and near the modern city centre. In the 2004 census, it had a population of 177,456.[1] Today, the neighbourhood is often considered to be one of the most conservative in Damascus.[2]
Etymology
The name Midan is derived from Midan Al Hassa (Arabic: ميدان الحصى) or the field of gravel. The neighbourhood was located between two sub Barada streams and when it rained heavily, the land gravel deposits filled the streams and consequently, the neighbourhood.[3]
History
Al-Midan started during the Mamluk rule over Damascus. It took its final form about 400 years ago during the Ottoman empire and has not experienced any major changes since. It is considered the Southern Gate of Damascus and was created as a trading center by the people of Damascus for them to be closer to the people of the Hauran and to improve trade and economic relations between them.
During the French occupation, the people of Midan revolted aggressively against the French and thus suffered heavy bombing during the Great Syrian Revolt of 1925–1927.[4][failed verification] Their actions were driven in part by the extensive commercial links connecting the grain merchants of the neighborhood with Druze notables in the Hawran, among whom the revolt had begun.[5]
Michel Aflaq and Salah al-Din al-Bitar, the founders of the Ba'th Party, were both born in the Midan as sons of grain merchants.[6]
The neighborhood was and still is (compared to other neighbourhoods in Damascus) very conservative.[2]
Some of the sweets for which Midan is famous for include baklava, barazek, kanafeh, namorah, and awameh.[7]
Districts
- Bab Masr (pop. 11,330)[8]
- Daqaq (pop. 10,858)
- Al-Haqleh (pop. 8,076)
- Al-Qa'a (pop. 11,791)
- Midan al-Wastani (pop. 23,745)
- Al-Tadamon (pop. 86,793)
- Az-Zahreh (pop. 24,863)
See also
References
- ^ a b "CBSSYR : Arab Republic Office Of Prime Minister". CBSSYR. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ a b Michael Provence (2005). "The Great Syrian Revolt and the Rise of Arab Nationalism". University of Texas Press Austin.
- ^ "Discover Syria". www.discover-syria.com.
- ^ "Syrian History photos". syrianhistory.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19.
- ^ Provence, Michael (2005). The Great Syrian Revolt and the Rise of Arab Nationalism. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 13, 69.
- ^ Batatu 2000, pp. 724–725.
- ^ "Al-Midan neighborhood in Damascus". Syrian Arab News Agency. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "Syrian Arab Republic Damascus Governorate Reference map" (PDF). ReliefWeb. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
Bibliography
- Batatu, Hanna (2000). The Old Social Classes and New Revolutionary Movements of Iraq (3rd ed.). Saqi Books. ISBN 0863565204.
- v
- t
- e
other landmarks
- Al-Azem Palace
- Khan As'ad Pasha
- Straight Street
- Mausoleum of Saladin
- Umayyad Mosque
- Citadel of Damascus
- Grand Serail of Damascus
- Khadra Palace
- Nur al-Din Bimaristan
- Maktab Anbar
- Hejaz Train Station
- Statue of Saladin
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Temple of Jupiter
- Tishreen Palace
- Al-Shaab Palace
- October War Panorama
Catholic | |
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Eastern Orthodox | |
Oriental Orthodox |
education
- National Museum of Damascus
- Al-Assad National Library
- Damascus Opera House
- Damascus University
- Syrian Virtual University
- International University for Science and Technology
- Syrian Private University
- Arab International University
- Higher Institute for Applied Science and Technology
- Higher Institute of Music in Damascus
- Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts
- National Institute of Administration
- Damascus Community School
- Lycée Charles de Gaulle
- Shami Hospital
- Bakdash (ice cream parlor)
- Bawabet Dimashq
- Havana Cafe
- Beit al-Mamlouka Hotel
- Blue Tower Hotel
- Four Seasons Hotel Damascus
- Baghdad Street
- Marjeh Square
- Rawda Square
- Sabaa Bahrat Square
- Umayyad Square
- Yusuf al-Azma Square
Venues |
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Clubs |
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- Old Damascus
- Sarouja
- Qanawat
- Jobar
- Al-Midan
- Al-Shaghour
- Qadam
- Kafr Sousa
- Mezzeh
- Dummar
- Barzeh
- Qaboun
- Rukn al-Din
- Al-Salihiyah
- Muhajreen
- Yarmouk
(List of rulers)
- Aram
- Siege (634)
- Jund Dimashq
- Burid dynasty
- Siege (1148)
- Eyalet
- Affair
- Protocol
- State
- Battle (1941)
- International Airport
- 1976 Pan Arab Games
- World Military Cup 1977
- International Film Festival
- 1981 Azbakiyah bombing
- 1986 bombings
- 1992 Pan Arab Games
- Spring
- 2002 West Asian Football Federation Championship
- 2004 WABA Champions Cup
- Declaration
- 2008 Arab Capital of Culture
- 2008 Arab League summit
- 2008 car bombing
- 2011 bombings
- 2011–2012 clashes
- January 2012 al-Midan bombing
- March 2012 bombings
- April 2012 bombings
- May 2012 bombings
- Battle (2012)
- July 2012 bombing
- 2017 bombings
- Category