Aleppo

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Hammam Yalbougha, Aleppo

Introducing Aleppo

While Damascus was always the ‘holy’ city, the seat of rulers and wary of foreigners, Aleppo (or Halab as it is known), Syria’s second city, has been one of commerce since Roman times. While both cities claim the title of ‘oldest continually inhabited city in the world’, it’s in Aleppo that the legacy of history feels more immediate.

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Aleppo today retains that air of an Arabian bazaar city, with people going about business as they have done for centuries. The streets speak a rhythm of sounds – from horse-drawn carts over cobblestones to the more frenetic pace of donkey-riding couriers, still the fastest way through the atmospheric, labyrinthine souq that’s fragrant with olive soap, exotic spices, roasting coffee and succulent grilled shwarma.

While Aleppo may not bustle as it did when it was a key stop on the Silk Road, the relative lack of big investment has actually done the city a favour. The World Heritage–listed Old City was saved from irreparable damage by not succumbing to modernisation. Today it is without doubt a fragile treasure, but a new breed of local investors and entrepreneurs have been wisely spending money to immaculately restore some old city treasures. A plan is in place to restore all of the historic buildings in the Old City – still a thriving centre with more than 100, 000 residents. This new wave of preservation has brought boutique hotels and restaurants and has not only saved some classic buildings, but has also given the visitor a real feel for the city as it once was.

Last updated: Jun 3, 2009

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. indus avatar
    RE: Travel Advice about Syria: Damascus-Palmyra-Aleppo

    by indus 30 May 2012

    Back in 2005 while I was in Bloemfontein, I happened to spend time frequently at public library and found for the very first time a biograph…
  2. marbles83 avatar
    RE: Travel Advice about Syria: Damascus-Palmyra-Aleppo

    by marbles83 30 May 2012

    Yes, akguindy, that's part of the Shia itinerary if they have enough days to spare in Damascus. Many groups on tight schedule skip it.…
  3. akguindy avatar
    Re: Travel Advice about Syria: Damascus-Palmyra-Aleppo

    by akguindy 30 May 2012

    What about the Umayyad Mosque and the Ruqiyya Mosque in central Damascus? Used to be crowded with Shia pilgrims.

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