Straight Street

Straight Street, known in Arabic as Al-Madhat Basha and Bab Sharqi Street, is the ancient east–west axis of old Damascus, following the line of the Roman decumanus. Mentioned in the Book of Acts, it runs from the eastern gate through the covered markets to the western end of the walled city. Along its length lie churches, mosques, old houses, and sections of Roman columns embedded in later buildings. Partly covered by market roofs, the street remains a working commercial artery and one of the oldest continuously used thoroughfares in the world.