Bab Sharqi Quarter

Bab Sharqi (the Eastern Gate) is both a historic city gate and the name of the vibrant quarter that surrounds it. The gate itself dates to the Roman period and is the only surviving Roman gate in Damascus, with its three arches still visible. It marks the eastern terminus of the Street Called Straight (Via Recta), the ancient Roman decumanus that runs through the heart of the Old City.

The quarter around Bab Sharqi is one of the most diverse and historically layered in Damascus. It contains significant Christian sites – including the House of Saint Ananias and the Chapel of Saint Paul – alongside important Muslim landmarks and bustling souqs. The area has historically been home to Greek Orthodox, Armenian, and Melkite communities, and several churches from different denominations stand within a few hundred metres of each other.

Today, Bab Sharqi is a lively residential and commercial area. The streets are filled with small shops selling everything from religious icons to household goods, and the quarter’s cafés and bakeries are popular gathering spots. The gate itself remains an iconic landmark, often photographed against the backdrop of the minarets and church towers that rise above the surrounding rooftops.