Syria

Mount Kassioun

A 1200-meter high mountain, Mount Kassioun overlooks  with a powerful stance. 

At the foot of the Mount, where the most ancient human settlements took place, are the quarters of Muhajirine, Salhiyeh, and Akrad. Houses in this area are interesting and beautiful. Many of them have small flowered balconies, and façades of carved and decorated wood. 

Driving along the ridge is popular and there are a lot of cafes and food stands where you can sit out at the edge to have a drink, while nibbling at salted nuts and watermelon seeds. The view from there is marvelous, the air is fresh at this altitude and the sunset is a must-see. At night, especially in the summer, Damascus lights shine like small stars. There has been a great effort to plant trees on Kassioun, and there is a forest being developed at the moment.

This is where Cain slew Abel and also where the Prophet Muhammad took his first look of the beautiful city of Damascus before turning away from "earthly paradise".