HYPERLOCAL GUIDE
At home in Damascus with Dania D
HYPERLOCAL GUIDE
Dania, a renowned Syrian interior designer, was exhibiting her exclusive collections at Dubai Design Week when Hyperlocal first met her. We were immediately drawn to her exquisite handcrafted pieces, which seamlessly blend Middle Eastern heritage with contemporary aesthetics. As she delved deeper into her designs, she shared how her hometown, Damascus, has profoundly influenced her approach to bespoke furniture, accessories, and handcrafted decorative and gift items. For Dania, Damascus is not just an inspiration but one of the most beautiful places in the world—its rich history as the oldest continuously inhabited city shaping both her artistry and identity.
Mosque in Damascus
“It's one of the most important mosques in the world. It's ranked quite high in Islam in terms of importance after the Jerusalem mosque. Historically, it was originally a temple, turned into a Jewish synagogue, a church, and then a mosque. For around a thousand years, all three Abrahamic religions were there at the same time so they would pray on Friday then the Jews would pray on Saturday and then the Christians would pray on Sunday. It is a holy place of prayer.”
Art gallery in Damascus
“Damascus has a lot of art galleries. Mustafa Ali is probably the one I'd love to recommend, it's a very very nice place.”
Traditional Market in Damascus
“A nice handicraft market in the heart of Damascus. More relaxed than the main Souk.”
Neighborhood in Damascus
“This is the oldest inhabited city in the world. This is the area where you can see everything, very ancient and authentic. There are so many people living in Old Damascus, so many great restaurants, and home to the famous traditional Damascene houses.”
Hotel in Damascus
“There are so many beautiful hotels in Damascus. This is one of my favourites, it's a four-star hotel, famous for their hospitality. It truly gives you the real experience of an old Damascene hotel."
Restaurant in Damascus
“If you want a nice park, you can go to this one on the creek. I used to take my kids there, there is a nice cable car you can take, it's really well made.”
Renowned Syrian Designer
