Mount Qasioun

Mount Qasioun (Arabic: جَبَل قَاسِيُون, romanized: Jabal Qāsiyūn) is a mountain overlooking the city of Damascus, Syria.

[2] The term Qasioun might mean "hard and dry" in Syriac language, which is the characteristic of the bare rocky mountain that has no grass, greenery, or water.

[9] The base and steepness of the habitat also prevent construction or development, but it is still classified as "critically endangered".

[11][12] It was known for hundreds of years as a place where prayers were immediately accepted, and especially in times of drought rulers of Damascus would climb to the cave and pray for rain.

[13] At present, the cave has been concealed by surrounding houses, but that spot is called al-Juyūˁīyah (Roughly 'the Place of the Hungry').

Damascus viewed from the mountain's top
Damascus and Mount Qasioun in 1924
Snow covering the mountain in winter