These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

Categories: Asia | History |

Syria is now the site of one of the worst conflicts on earth in five years. The most recognizable images of this Middle Eastern country show bombed buildings, piles of stones and refugees.

A series of photographs taken 50 years ago by Charles W. Cushman, an avid traveler and amateur photographer, stand in stark contrast to today. In his photographs, the center of Damascus appears to be full of peaceful life, despite a series of military coups in Syria in the 1960s.

(Total 22 photos)

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago
Source: deadbees.net

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

1. 4 million Syrians have fled their country since 2011. This drone shot of Damascus shows why so many people no longer feel safe there.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

2. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed during the hostilities, and people simply stopped living in some areas of the capital.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

3. 50 years ago, there was also a period of instability in Syria. Two years before Kushman visited Damascus in 1965, a military coup took place in the country, as a result of which the Arab Socialist Baath Party came to power.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

4. After that, on February 23, 1966, Syria was shocked by the fifth coup in 4 years led by Salah Jadid and Hafez al-Assad.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

5. But these photos show the everyday side of life in this country.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

6. Women wear a variety of clothes.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

7. Men wear western style suits.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

8. Many of Cushman's photographs feature animals.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

9. In the mid-1960s, animals transported goods through the center of Damascus. Cushman named this shot "Full Loaded".

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

10. Sometimes animals also carried people.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

11. "Big rider - little donkey," says the description of this photo.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

12. Photos also show noisy street scenes.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

13. Carts were littered with fruit.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

14. Families bought everything they needed together.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

15. And the merchants carried goods on their backs.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

16. The minaret rises above the busy market.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

17. The city center was overflowing with shoppers.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

18. Crowded street.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

19. Kushman captioned this photo: “Syrian skyscraper?”

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

20. This is the river Barada, which flows through Damascus.

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

21. "Sheep all over the Damascus Highway."

These old photos show what the Syrian capital looked like half a century ago

22. Agricultural land near Damascus.

Keywords: Damascus | Syria | Capital

     

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