Preservation of the Historical Environment of a Modern City: Multipolarity and Dialogue of Cultures in Syria through the Restoration and Adaptation of Cultural Heritage Monuments

The Syrian Arab Republic can be called the cradle of various civilizations, rich in its historical relics and monuments thousands of years old. These precious treasures are considered to be public treasures and national heritage. Each civilization has added to and enriched the world’s artistic culture, architecture and art. The study of the mutual influence of ancient cultures in recent decades can be characterized as a process of discovering new, previously unexplored facets of modern civilization. The restoration and adaptation of antiquities is becoming a pressing problem every day. These processes must be carried out after deep and meticulous study by specialists in full compliance with international standards of professionalism, artistic taste and sustainability. [1] Damascus is included in the UNESCO list of world cultural values, so the study of this topic is of scientific interest. Using the example of such historical monuments as the Roman Theatre at Shahba in the area of As-Suwayda, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Khan Suleyman Pasha and the Bayat al-Aqqad in Old Damascus, important points of adaptation of these monuments in the modern world are touched upon through research and comparison before and after restoration, in order to identify progressive traditions for their use in the modern practice of restoration and adaptation to the modern city. The results of this study have developed criteria that cannot be ignored, especially in matters related to sustainability, technological progress and professional aspects that take into account harmony and artistic taste in working with art objects. Finally, important conclusions are made and recommendations are given to help consolidate the process of restoration and competent care of historical monuments using modern technical methods.