Al-Najmeh Archaeological Street

In the heart of As-Suwayda, where times converge and stories intertwine, Star Street (Shāriʿ al-Najma) stretches like a beam of light through history,a living witness to the city’s transformations and enduring spirit. This historic street is not only known for its architectural charm and antiquity, but also for its deep social and cultural symbolism, making it one of the city’s most iconic and emotionally resonant landmarks.

The street derives its name from the star-shaped layout formed by its branching side alleys,an urban design believed to date back to the Roman or Byzantine era, when cities were planned with a careful eye for aesthetic flow, commerce, and social interaction. Paved with basalt stone and lined with traditional shops and arched buildings, Star Street once served as a vital artery of daily life.

Historically, it connected key areas of the city,markets, homes, religious centers, and administrative buildings,and even today, it retains much of its original character despite the encroachment of modern structures. Walking down the street is like traversing layers of time; every corner holds a trace, every stone echoes the footsteps of merchants, townspeople, students, and even revolutionaries who once passed through.

Though the years have gone by, the street still breathes with the scent of the past,a living memory of everyday life and a powerful reminder of the urgent need to preserve it as a historical, cultural, and touristic site. Star Street is not just a passageway; it is a vibrant urban space that tells the story of a city steeped in civilization, embracing all who have walked its path.

Documenting Star Street is an act of preserving the lifeline of a southern Syrian city,a way of safeguarding the landmarks that show how people once lived, moved, and connected in a place that continues to etch its name on the map of collective memory.