Aleppo Travel Guide
Traditional Middle East Souks
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The northern gem of Aleppo mirrors, in many ways, Damascus: it has its souk, a grand and important mosque and a warren of twisting back streets. This city however most definitely has its own personality and in many ways is as different as it is similar.
Here you will find an acropolis, the superb 12th Century citadel that dominates the souk area, itself one of the best examples of a traditional medieval souk to be found anywhere in the Islamic world. The city is famous for its khans, caravanserais where goods were stored at the end of their journey along the Silk Road, and outside the city are the remarkable Dead Cities and St Simeon’s Basilica.
History tells that Abraham milked his cow hereabouts and there is not doubt that Aleppo is ancient, with a recoded history going back at least to to the early 2nd millennium BC, competing with Damascus for being one of the oldest inhabited city in the world. Aleppo, today called Halab, was the capital of the Amorite kingdom of Yamkhad and was the focus of the Hittites who descended from Anatolia to overthrow the Amorite Dynasty in 1595 BC.
By 1000 BC northern Syria was in the hands of the Phoenecians, the Sea Peoples, however Aleppo remained a small Neo-Hittite state. Alexander the Great arrived in 333 BC and remained under Greek control for 300 years in the form of the Seleucid Empire, until Rome took charge in 64 BC, and subsequently Byzantine then Arabs rule.
Unable to conquer Aleppo the Crusaders of 1098 could not conquer it and it was again besieged in 1124 by another Crusade before being taken over by Zengi, his successor Nur al Din and the famous Saladin. Its fortunes waxed and waned with the coming of the Mamelukes and Mongols and by the time the Ottomans took over trade had diverted through sea routes to India and China. The city is today enjoying a renaissance and is Syria’s second city.
Attractions in Aleppo
The city comprises of a new part and the central 'old city', where a maze of narrow streets radiate from beneath the stunning Citadel. The medina at the foot of the Citadel has its routes in a Greek plan and a wander through the vaulted souk is an opportunity to step back hundreds of years in time – one of the best in the Middle East.
We have already mentioned too the great khans, warehouses that are well worth seeking out being far more interesting than the English suggests. Jdeideh is the fashionable neighbourhood that was built in the 17th century and is today a pleasant area to stroll around, whilst Aleppo's Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of pieces from Ebla Royal archives' tablets to findings in North Eastern Syria such as Tell Halaf, Arslan Tash, Tell Ahmar.
The city makes for a great base from which to explore the Dead Cities to the north west. These wonderful Byzantine-era remains are spread out over a wide area but are worth seeking out if you want to get a glimpse into the Christian history of Syria’s north. Unmissable, however, is the famous St Simeon’s Basilica, where the remains of the famous stylites’ pillar can still be seen.
Activities in Aleppo
Allow 3 or 4 days in the city if you can, though if short of time you can see the main sites in 2.
Relaxing
There are a number of famous hamams in Aleppo, and several excellent restaurants to try.
Getting Around
The old town and Jdeidah is best explored and enjoyed on foot, with a tour arranged through a local Travel Expert taking you to the Dead Cities and St Simeon’s.
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