The Transfer of the Administrative and Governmental Center of Late Ottoman Damascus

For centuries, the administrative and commercial activities in Damascus had been concentrated inside the walls of the Old City in the western neighborhood and for the most part around the Omayyad Mosque. This rule remained in effect until mid 19th century when several factors combined to re-orient the city from south (Mecca and the pilgrimage caravan) to West (Beirut) and from long distance and land-bound to regional and sea-bound commerce. The opening of the Damascus-Beirut road in 1863 was a first step in this direction and events were to accelarate under the energetic governorship of Midhat Pasha. Numerous vital projects were achieved in 4 decades (1880-1920) some of the most important were:

1. The Muzayrib Railroad starting from the Baramka Station in 1894.

2. The Hamidyia Casern (adjacent to Baramka Station). It took over some of the functions formerly belonging to the Citadel, the latter having lost its military importance and its surrounding ditch filled to allow for the expansion of Suq al-Hamidyia and  creation of Suq al-Khuja. The casern buildings were subsequently converted to a different use, namely to house Damascus University and itsLaw School. 

3. The buildings of Municipality, Post & Telegraph,  Hall of Justice at the Marja Square that had replaced Suq Sarouja as a hub for transportation.

4. The Hijaz Railway Station.

5. The New Serai (government building) on the right bak of the River Barada.

Last but not least, between its caserns and depots, the army occupied a vast surface of about 46,000 square meters whereas the tram as well as railway stations filled the even more imposing surface of 57,000 square meters. 

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