Scene from Straight Street, a Roman road that runs from east to west in Old Town Damascus. The street contains several historical sights from the Roman, Christian and Islamic periods. Under Roman rule, the Straight Street was widened and became a colonnaded thoroughfare. The columns and gates can still be seen today. A large majority of Straight Street now serves as the main market in Old Town Damascus. Many people still live inside the Old Town. Damascus is oldest capital in the world. It has been continuously inhabited since around 2500 B.C.