Syria welcomes home ancient treasures returned from France
Key Takeaways
- France returned 23 Syrian artefacts after more than 15 years.
- The collection is now on display at the Damascus Citadel.
- The artefacts span periods from prehistory to the Islamic era.
Twenty-three artefacts are now on display in Damascus after returning from France, where they remained for more than 15 years during Syria's conflict.
Twenty-three Syrian artefacts returned from France after more than 15 years are now on public display at the historic Damascus Citadel, giving visitors a chance to view pieces spanning thousands of years of the country's history.
The collection is being exhibited in the citadel's Throne Hall as part of the Syria Summer 2026 festival, which opened on August 6. A separate exhibition of Syrian mosaics is also taking place at the site.
Footage filmed on Sunday shows visitors examining the returned artefacts inside glass display cases and taking photographs. A sign in the exhibition reads: "Syria Recovers Its Antiquities - 23 Artefacts Embrace Syrian Soil Once Again."
"Today, as part of the Damascus Summer 2026 celebrations, we have opened an exhibition featuring Syrian antiquities recovered from France. These artefacts are particularly significant given the events they have been through over the past 16 years," said Ammar Kanawi, Director of Museum Affairs in Syria.
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Kanawi said the loan process began in 2010, with the artefacts leaving Syria the following year for the Arab World Institute in Paris.
He said the collection includes objects from several historical periods, including artefacts linked to the ancient kingdoms of Mari and Ugarit, as well as items from the Classical period.
The artefacts remained in France after Syria's war began and diplomatic relations between Paris and Damascus were severed. Syrian officials said security concerns and the need to preserve the collection delayed its return.
Syrian expatriate Khaldoun Taktouk described seeing the collection for the first time during a visit to the Damascus Citadel.
"It's a truly wonderful feeling. These pieces are incredibly captivating and fascinating. I don't know how to describe this feeling - it's something that cannot be put into words."
France returned the 23 artefacts on July 7 during President Emmanuel Macron's July 6–7 visit to Syria. During the visit, Paris and Damascus restored full diplomatic relations and agreed to exchange ambassadors.
Syrian authorities said the collection includes artefacts from major archaeological sites dating from prehistory to the Islamic era.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
