Book Review: “Damascus: Hidden Treasures of the Old City”

Bridget Keenan, Tim Beddow Photographer, 2000

Damascus, considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, was at times a renowned and wealthy capital. Each era brought changes in architecture, resulting in a city filled with magnificent palaces and luxurious homes. In 1979, UNESCO designated the Old City of Damascus a World Heritage site. However, the beauty is fading rapidly, and many buildings are in dire need of restoration. Bridget Keenan, a freelance journalist and longtime resident of Damascus, combined forces with photographer Tim Beddow to provide this visual record of the ancient town and plead for the preservation of the heart of the city. They explore both public buildings and rarely seen private houses. Beddow’s photographs are an eloquent homage to the varying architectural styles of old Damascus, and Keenan’s accompanying text explores the history of Damascus as a city as well as the individual histories of its mosques, palaces, and private homes. Damascus: Hidden Treasures of the Old City, recommended for both academic and public libraries with either Middle Eastern or architecture collections.

Brigid Keenan is a writer who has lived for many years in Damascus. As for the photographer Tim Beddow, his publications include East Africa. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, notably The World of Interiors.

Edited by Lama Alhassanieh