Damascus’ national museum re-opens for visitors after 7-year war

The National Museum of Damascus re-opened its gate to visitors for the first time in seven years on Sunday.

The museum opened amid the presence of local and foreign archeologists who hope that the event could be a prelude to re-opening museums in other Syrian cities.

Maamoun Abdul-Karim, an antiquities expert and former antiquities chief in Damascus, told the Xinhua News Agency that the Syrian government had salvaged over 300,000 archeological pieces from museums across the country and hid them in Damascus.

“The opening of the museum by the general directorate of antiquities and museums is the beginning of hope, but we are in need for a lot of effort and capabilities, time and ever-lasting peace in all Syrian provinces so that all Syrian museums can be re-opened in all Syrian areas,” he said.

He said the return of Syrian museums is the hope of all Syrians and foreigners who love Syria.

He said that the efforts exerted to preserve the antiquities were huge, adding that every Syrian should feel pride at the accomplishment.

Bassam Jamous, a Syrian archaeologist, said foreign experts helped in preparing the antiquities for the re-opening of the museum.

Claus-Peter Haase, former director of the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, said he was invited to Damascus to attend the opening ceremony of the museum.

“I am very surprised to see a very modern and very impressive installation of the antiquities collection in the museum,” he said, adding that the antiquities officials in Syria did a great job preserving the pieces that were brought in from other Syrian cities.

Many visitors showed up at the museum on the balmy fall afternoon in Damascus, especially those who share interest and love for the world of antiquities and history.

Nariman Ojaili, a visitor, told Xinhua that she was happy to see the museum re-open.

“We have for long been waiting for the re-opening of the museum because it’s something important and big as it contains our heritage. It’s a very lovely feeling and we are so happy,” she said.

Aside from the antiquities that have been hidden by the government from museums nationwide, more than 9,000 pieces, found from almost all Syrian areas, were delivered by the Syrian army and allied forces to the antiquities departments to be restored and returned to museums.