The National Museum of Damascus has officially reopened to visitors, marking the return of one of the country’s most important cultural landmarks. The reopening follows a period of closure after thieves broke into one of the classical galleries and stole several small Roman-era statues and other items. With the investigation completed and new measures in place, the museum is once again welcoming visitors, researchers and heritage-lovers.
The museum remains one of the most significant cultural institutions in the Middle East. Its collections preserve thousands of years of Syrian history, presenting a continuous story from prehistoric communities to the Islamic era. Founded in 1919 and first housed in the historic al-Adiliyah School in Old Damascus, it moved to its current location in 1936 as archaeological discoveries across the country grew too large to fit in the old building. Over the decades it has become a central destination for anyone wishing to understand Syria’s archaeological, artistic and written heritage.
Inside, the museum is organized into several major wings, each dedicated to a different era of Syrian civilization.
The Prehistoric Wing displays early tools and evidence of human settlement stretching back tens of thousands of years.
The Ancient Near Eastern Wing presents objects from famous archaeological sites such as Mari, Ebla, Ugarit, Palmyra and Dura-Europos, including statues, wall paintings and some of the world’s earliest written tablets.
The Classical Antiquity Wing contains Greek and Roman sculptures, inscriptions and mosaics from cities across the country.
The Islamic Art Wing showcases manuscripts, ceramics, textiles and decorative art from different Islamic periods.
One of the museum’s most iconic features remains the reconstructed façade of Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi, an Umayyad desert palace whose stones were transported and reassembled in Damascus as a monumental architectural display.
In recent years, the museum underwent significant restoration and improvement efforts to preserve its collections and enhance the visitor experience. With its reopening, visitors now encounter updated halls, refreshed displays and a restored sense of continuity across the museum’s many wings. The return of the museum is also an encouraging sign for cultural tourism in Syria at a time when more travelers are beginning to explore the country again.
For anyone planning a visit to Damascus, the National Museum can once again be included confidently as a key stop in the city. It offers essential context for understanding Syria’s ancient sites—from Palmyra and Bosra to Apamea and the Old City of Damascus—and remains one of the most informative and rewarding cultural experiences in the capital.
Source: SANA