In pictures: On the silk road in Syria

Syrian-born BBC user Ruba Jurdi went on a journey of discovery in her homeland, capturing some of the historical and cultural sites. Pictured: A souk, or covered market, in Old Damascus.

Ms Jurdi travelled from Damascus to many sites on the Silk Road festival tour, an annual event organised by the Syrian ministry of tourism. Pictured: the Umayyad mosque, Damascus, one of the oldest mosques in the world.

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected Asia with the Mediterranean world. Travellers on the route would stop off in lands such as Syria, trading in the markets. Pictured: man weaving.

The Silk Road led to an exchange of cultures and ideas as well as goods. This year's festival was launched with a show from dancers and musicians representing Syria and some of the countries on the route.

The Roman amphitheatre of Bosra near Daraa, 100 km south of Damascus. Jurdi: "I was impressed by how well preserved this vast structure is. It has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site."

Jurdi: "Peering through the ruins of the temple of Baal in Palmyra which dates back to before the first century AD. It is considered the most important religious building in the Middle East of that time."

Palmyra is an oasis in the heart of the Syrian desert, some 200 km from Damascus. It was a vital stopping off point for travellers on the Silk Road, and became known as the Bride of the Desert.

Jurdi: "Walking along the columns at Palmyra, my imagination took me back hundreds of years. I visualised the traders speaking different languages, leading their camels bearing their goods."

A man visiting the Monastery of Saint George, a historic Antiochian Orthodox monastery located in northwestern Syria's "Valley of the Christians".

Hama, central Syria. Jurdi: "A Syrian Bedouin donkey-rider nods off after a long day in the sun. He passed by with his herd in the distance, while I was chatting to other Bedouin families."

Jurdi: "This Bedouin lady told me they live in a house during the winter months. But during summer they behave like traditional Bedouin, living in the open air and selling produce from their sheep."

A little girl in the ancient city of Apamea, 55 km to the northwest of Hama. Jurdi: "This journey really opened my eyes to the people and history of my homeland."