Al Hijaz Railway Station

In the heart of Damascus, Al Hijaz Railway Station stands as a graceful relic of the city’s early 20th century modernisation, its ornate façade blending Ottoman grandeur with European architectural flair. Opened in 1913 as part of the ambitious Hejaz Railway project commissioned by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, it was designed to link Damascus with Medina, serving pilgrims bound for the holy cities as well as traders along the route. The station’s arched windows, carved stonework, and elegant clock tower overlook bustling Hejaz Square, while a vintage steam locomotive displayed out front recalls the romance of train travel in the age of empires. Though the trains no longer run to the Hijaz, the building remains a protected heritage landmark — a silent witness to an era when Damascus was the northern gateway to the Arabian deserts.