Al-Midan
Encyclopedia
Al-Midan is a neighborhood located in Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...

, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....

. It lies just south of the old walled city of Damascus very to close to the modern city center. It's streets and alleys are full of heritage and history due to the age of the neighborhood. Throughout history, the people of this neighborhood have fought alongside their brothers from other neighborhoods in order to protect the city of Damascus. Add to that, there are many great Damascene scholars who were born in this neighborhood. Today, the neighborhood is best known for being the most conservative neighborhood in Damascus.

Etymology

The name Midan is derived from Midan Al Hassa or the field of gravel. The neighborhood was located between two subBarada
Barada
The Barada is the main river of Damascus, the capital city of Syria. It flows through the spring of `Ayn Fijah , about 27 km north west of Damascus in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, but its source is Lake Barada, located at about 8 km from Zabadani...

 streams and when it rained heavily, the land gravel deposits filled the streams and consequently, the neighborhood.

History

The neighborhood started during the Mamluk
Mamluk
A Mamluk was a soldier of slave origin, who were predominantly Cumans/Kipchaks The "mamluk phenomenon", as David Ayalon dubbed the creation of the specific warrior...

 rule over Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...

. It took its final form about 400 years ago during the Ottoman empire and has not experienced any major changes since. The neighborhood is considered the Southern Gate of Damascus, and was created as a trading center by the people of Damascus in order for them to be closer to the people of Horan
Horan
Horan is a surname that originated in County Galway, Ireland, and from there spread into County Mayo.Notable people with the name Horan include:*Allan Horan , New Zealand rower*Arthur Horan , Irish rugby union player...

, and to improve the trading and economic relations between them.

During the French occupation, the people of this neighborhood fought fiercely for their freedom. It was and still is (compared to other neighborhoods in Damascus), a very conservative neighborhood. The people of Midan revolted aggressively against the French and as a result the neighborhood suffered heavy bombing during the Syrian Revolt of 1925-1927.

Midan cuisine and sweets

The neighborhood of Midan is known throughout Syria and the surrounding countries for the delicious sweets it offers. Hundreds of years of cooking and making the best foods and sweets have made this neighborhood extremely famous. In fact, some of the stores that are based in this neighborhood are now worldwide and are loved by everyone. Some examples of these stores are Daoud Brothers Sweets and Abu Haidar Sweets. Some of the sweets Midan is famous for are: Baklava
Baklava
Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire and much of central and southwest Asia....

, Barazek, Knafah, Namorah and many more.
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