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Digital Syria: Saving The Old Homes of Damascus

Published December 7th, 2020 - 09:29 GMT

Strolling through the alleyways of war-torn Syria’s capital, Rania Kataf snaps photos of the city’s famed houses, capturing their nooks and crannies for posterity.

After seeing how vulnerable they had become during the country’s devastating civil war, the 35-year-old began creating a digital archive of the buildings of Old Damascus.

“I was inspired by European photographers who tried to document buildings in their cities during the Second World War so architects could later rebuild part of them,” she said.

Their many rooms usually include both a summer and a winter guestroom, both looking onto the courtyard, according to AFP.

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The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, walks past restoration workers at a palatial Ottoman-era home called Beit al-Quwatli for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 11, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, walks past restoration workers at a palatial Ottoman-era home called Beit al-Quwatli for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 11, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

A view shows the courtyard of Naasan palace, a historical landmark, in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 18, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. AFP

A view shows the courtyard of Naasan palace, a historical landmark, in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 18, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Raed al-Jabri, 61-year-old Syrian, works inside his home-turned-restaurant in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 10, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Raed al-Jabri, 61-year-old Syrian, works inside his home-turned-restaurant in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 10, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, captures images of the city's famed houses for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre.LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, captures images of the city's famed houses for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre.LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Nahida Mabardi takes care of her heritage house in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Nahida Mabardi takes care of her heritage house in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

A man looks out the window in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

A man looks out the window in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

A partial view shows the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

A partial view shows the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, walks past restoration workers at a palatial Ottoman-era home called Beit al-Quwatli for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 11, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A view shows the courtyard of Naasan palace, a historical landmark, in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 18, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. AFP
The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Raed al-Jabri, 61-year-old Syrian, works inside his home-turned-restaurant in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 10, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, captures images of the city's famed houses for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre.LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Nahida Mabardi takes care of her heritage house in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A man looks out the window in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A partial view shows the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, walks past restoration workers at a palatial Ottoman-era home called Beit al-Quwatli for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 11, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, walks past restoration workers at a palatial Ottoman-era home called Beit al-Quwatli for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 11, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A view shows the courtyard of Naasan palace, a historical landmark, in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 18, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. AFP
A view shows the courtyard of Naasan palace, a historical landmark, in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 18, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Raed al-Jabri, 61-year-old Syrian, works inside his home-turned-restaurant in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 10, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Raed al-Jabri, 61-year-old Syrian, works inside his home-turned-restaurant in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on November 10, 2020. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, captures images of the city's famed houses for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre.LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Rania Kataf, 35-year-old Syrian, captures images of the city's famed houses for her digital archive in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre.LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Nahida Mabardi takes care of her heritage house in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Nahida Mabardi takes care of her heritage house in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A man looks out the window in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A man looks out the window in the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A partial view shows the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
A partial view shows the old part of Syria's capital Damascus on October 28, 2020. The old city of the Syrian capital is famed for its elegant century-old houses, usually two storeys built around a leafy rectangular courtyard with a carved stone fountain at its centre. While the capital has been largely spared the violence of Syria's almost ten-year war, several of these traditional homes have been abandoned by their owners or damaged in the conflict. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

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