Straight Street (Arabic:الشارع المستقيم) is the olddecumanus maximus, the main east-westRoman road, ofDamascus,Syria.[1] It runs from east to west through the old city. It was originally built during the Seleucid period. According to theActs of the Apostles (9:11) in theNew Testament of the Christian Bible,Paul the Apostle stayed in a house on Straight Street.[2]
The western half of the street, including theMidhat Pasha Souq, is today also known as "Midhat Pasha Street", while the eastern half, leading to theBab Sharqi gate, is known as "Bab Sharqi Street".[1]
During the Greek period in Damascus, the city was re-designed byHippodamus, who gave the city a grid structure. The redesign created a grid structure, including the creation of the 1,500 metre-long street, Straight Street. It was designed to be the longest street during its construction.[3]
TheMariamite Cathedral of Damascus was built on Straight Street in the 2nd century, and has been rebuilt multiple times since then.[4] It currently serves as the seat of theAntiochian Orthodox Church.[4] The western half of the street, including theMidhat Pasha Souq, is now named "Midhat Pasha Street", while the eastern half, leading to theBab Sharqi gate is named "Bab Sharqi Street".[1]
According to theKing James Version of the English bible:
Media related toDamascus Straight Street at Wikimedia Commons
33°30′33″N36°18′41″E / 33.50917°N 36.31139°E /33.50917; 36.31139
