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Paradise Lost: Once Bustling, Lively Syria Before 2011 Civil War

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Fashion weeks, crowded markets, tourists, resorts, ancient architecture and even casinos — prewar Syria was a peaceful, hospitable and absolutely wonderful place. Sputnik guides you through Syria, a world lost in the ongoing bloody civil war. When will once bustling and lively Syria rise from the ashes? 

© AP Photo / Hussein MallaA Syrian model, center, displays a creation during a competition for Syrian fashion designers with 12 participants, in Damascus. October 6, 2009.
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A Syrian model, center, displays a creation during a competition for Syrian fashion designers with 12 participants, in Damascus. October 6, 2009.
© Sputnik / Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankA beach of a resort hotel in Latakia.
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A beach of a resort hotel in Latakia.
© AP Photo / Bassem TellawiA Syrian vendor stands at his sweets shop in downtown Damascus. October 9, 2007.
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A Syrian vendor stands at his sweets shop in downtown Damascus. October 9, 2007.
© Sputnik / Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankBuyers at the central market in Damascus.
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Buyers at the central market in Damascus.
© Flickr / Paul KellerA stand offering various sorts of pickled and colored vegetables at a covered street market in central Damascus.
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A stand offering various sorts of pickled and colored vegetables at a covered street market in central Damascus.
© Sputnik / Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankA herdsman grazes goats on a mountain slope near Slenfe.
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A herdsman grazes goats on a mountain slope near Slenfe.
© Sputnik / Natalia Seliverstova / Go to the mediabankThe central market of Damascus.
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The central market of Damascus.
© Sputnik / Natalia Seliverstova / Go to the mediabankLocals at the central market of Damascus.
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Locals at the central market of Damascus.
© AFP 2023 / LOUAI BESHARAA general view taken on December 30, 2010, shows the Syrian capital's first casino, located near Damascus airport.
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A general view taken on December 30, 2010, shows the Syrian capital's first casino, located near Damascus airport.
© Flickr / Alessandra KocmanOn the way to the Temple of Baal in ancient city of Palmyra.
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On the way to the Temple of Baal in ancient city of Palmyra.
© AFP 2023 / LOUAI BESHARASyrian whirling dervish dancers from the Aleppo Heritage Ensemble perform during the festival of "Nights of Spiritual Music" at Qasr al-Adhm in Damascus. Late September 7, 2008.
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Syrian whirling dervish dancers from the Aleppo Heritage Ensemble perform during the festival of "Nights of Spiritual Music" at Qasr al-Adhm in Damascus. Late September 7, 2008.
© AFP 2023 / Louai BESHARASyrians weave carpets at a market in Old Damascus. October 6, 2003.
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Syrians weave carpets at a market in Old Damascus. October 6, 2003.
© AFP 2023 / LOUAI BESHARASyrian Bedouins watch over their camels as tourists tour around the historic town of Palmyra during the al-Badia festival, northeastern Damascus. May 4, 2007.
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Syrian Bedouins watch over their camels as tourists tour around the historic town of Palmyra during the al-Badia festival, northeastern Damascus. May 4, 2007.
© AFP 2023 / LOUAI BESHARAA general view of the Christian Syrian village of Maalula, 60 kms north of Damascus. June 29, 2009.
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A general view of the Christian Syrian village of Maalula, 60 kms north of Damascus. June 29, 2009.
© AP Photo / Ola RifaiA tourist takes a photo during her visit to Al-Azem Palace that houses the museum of arts and popular traditions in the Old City of Damascus.
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A tourist takes a photo during her visit to Al-Azem Palace that houses the museum of arts and popular traditions in the Old City of Damascus.
© Flickr / Alex KeshavjeeA family at the Umayyad Mosque, Damascus.
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A family at the Umayyad Mosque, Damascus.
© Flickr / Morgan StenmarkThe Souk Al Hamidiyah, the largest marketplace in Damascus.
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The Souk Al Hamidiyah, the largest marketplace in Damascus.
© Sputnik / Natalia Seliverstova / Go to the mediabankA Latakia local resting on the Mediterranean Sea.
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A Latakia local resting on the Mediterranean Sea.
© Sputnik / Alexei Danichev / Go to the mediabankAt a restaurant in the suburbs of Damascus.
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At a restaurant in the suburbs of Damascus.
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