Souq Al-Hamidiyah is the largest and central souq in the old walled city of Damascus. The souq dates back to the Ottoman era, built in its current form in 1780 under Sultan Abdul Hamid I. It is famous for its massive iron-vaulted roof, which is riddled with small holes. These holes are not an architectural feature; they are bullet holes from French fighter jets during the 1925 Syrian Great Revolt, which now allow shafts of sunlight to pierce through to the market floor like stars. The souq leads directly to the magnificent Umayyad Mosque and is lined with shops selling traditional textiles, spices, and the world-famous 'Bakdash' booza (pounded ice cream). As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the souq represents a direct link to the ancient mercantile traditions of the Levant.