Aleppo in photographs: What the largest city in Syria looked like before the war, and what it is like now. Aleppo: photos before and after the fighting

Aleppo (Arabic: Aleppo)- the second largest city in Syria and the capital of the “gray” (Al-Shahba) province.
“Gray” not only in name, but also gray in the absence of greenery.
In the center of the city rises a hill on which, according to legend, Abraham stopped on his way to Egypt.
The legend also says that Ibrahim, the prophet of Abraham, lived here, and he had a gray (shahba) cow, he milked the cow and distributed milk to poor people. Every evening these people asked:
“Haleb Ibrahim al-bakr al-shahba?” - “Did Ibrahim milk the gray cow?”
This is where the name of the city comes from: Aleppo (Hale bash-Shahba).
Now the Citadel, which is the symbol of Aleppo, rises on the hill.
Besides the Arabs in Aleppo live a large Armenian colony: Armenians moved to northern regions after the massacre in Turkey in 1915-16, Aleppo even received the nickname “Mother of Emigration”).
Aleppo is an ancient city; the first mentions of it date back to the beginning of the 3rd century. BC. Later the city was conquered by the Hittites, and in the 8th century. BC. came under Babylonian rule.
Aleppo flourished in the 4th – 1st centuries. BC. At this time, Aleppo was rebuilt and received the Greek name Beroya. Then the Greek layout of the city took shape, an acropolis, a shopping area - an agora and temples appeared.
During the Roman and Byzantine periods, the layout of the city remained almost unchanged.
In 637 the city was captured by the Arabs. Aleppo was major center first the Umayyad province and then the Abbasid Caliphate.
From the 11th century the city became the main center on the famous Great silk road connecting East and West.
The Crusaders never managed to capture Aleppo, but in 1401 they could not resist the invasion of Tamerlane's troops.
In 1516 Aleppo became part of the Ottoman state. But even this did not affect the economic and intellectual level of the city. Aleppo for a long time remained the largest city in Syria. After the end of World War I, Syria passed from Turkish rule to a French mandate.

Citadel.
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Citadel. Aleppo. Syria.

Once upon a time, on the site of the citadel there was a Greek acropolis, a Byzantine church, and a Muslim mosque. The citadel suffered more than once from earthquakes and sieges.
The fortress acquired its current appearance at the end of the 12th century. early XIII V. under the son of Salah ad-Din Malik Zahir Ghazi, who ordered to dig a ditch and cover the slopes of the hill with stone cladding.
The fortress is surrounded by a 30-meter ditch. The entrance to the citadel is guarded by two towers. The bridge tower, 20 meters high, was built in 1542 and protects the bridge, supported by 8 arches and forming a staircase under which passed the aqueduct that supplied the fortress with water. The bridge leads to the gate tower, which contains the only entrance to the citadel.
The fortress is a grand, superbly fortified structure. A narrow street runs through the entire citadel, along which there were buildings (little remains of them), underground rooms Byzantine period used to store water, and there was also a prison underground.

Citadel. Aleppo. Syria.

The citadel had two mosques: the small mosque or Ibrahim mosque, built in 1167. The mosque stands on the site of the church, and also on the site of the stone where, according to legend, Ibrahim loved to rest. The Great Mosque, built in 1214, was destroyed by fire in 1240; the stone mihrab and several rooms remain from the original building.

Citadel. Aleppo. Syria.

Citadel. Aleppo. Syria.

The throne room of the Mamluk rulers (XV-XVI centuries) has been preserved. The hall is located in the upper tier of the gate tower.

View of the city from the Citadel. Aleppo. Syria.

The lively Jami al-Omawi street leads from the Citadel.

On it is Khan al-Wazir- the largest and most famous caravanserai in Aleppo, built in 1682.

Khan al-Wazir (left) and the Jami al-Fustok mosque (1349) (right). Aleppo. Syria.

At the end of the street is the main mosque of the city - Jami al-Omawi (Umayyad) Mosque. The mosque was built on the site of Saint Helena in 715, modeled on the Damascus Umayyad mosque. The building often suffered from fires and destruction, modern building dates back to 1169.

Jami al-Omawi Mosque.

Jami al-Omawi Mosque.

Close to Jami al-Omawi mosque there is a mosque-madrassah of Halyavia - it was the oldest cathedral Aleppo, erected in the 6th century. in honor of Helen, the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine.

Aleppo is famous for its covered markets, which cover the Jami al-Omawi mosque on three sides and stretch for a total of 9 km. Markets began to take shape in the 16th century. and include shops, workshops, hammams, and mosques.

“Middle Eastern civilizations have always attracted the attention of European travelers and researchers with the beauty of the ruins of their ancient cities. Of all the countries in the region, it is Syria that boasts an abundance of ancient monuments. Palmyra, Ebla (now Tell Mardikh), Damascus, Aleppo (Aleppo) - this is just a small list of the most ancient cities in this country. Until now, scientists from all over the world are conducting scientific debates on the topic of the ancient urban center of Syria. This right is disputed by two rivals: Aleppo and Damascus.”

Most researchers believe Aleppo (European name city) the most ancient city in the country. Many scientists claim that the first settlement here was founded in the 6th millennium BC. The city was located at the intersection of important trade routes connecting Near East With Europe And India. The greatness and wealth of Aleppo made it tidbit for his neighbors. The city changed hands more than once. Throughout its history, Aleppo was captured by the Hittites, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Turks. Today it is one of the largest cities in Syria by population, located in the north-west of the country and populated mainly by Arabs.

There is rather scant information about the true meaning of the name and the first inhabitants. It is believed that the first settlement was founded in 5000 BC. This is confirmed by those found on the territory ancient city various tools. In some records of neighboring peoples Aleppo referred to as Halpe And Halibon. True meaning The toponym is still a mystery to scientists. Some of them claim that the name of the city is of Semitic origin and means either “iron” or “copper”. It is believed that it was here that the first metallurgists learned to mine and process these metals. However, there are other versions. According to another hypothesis, the Amorites who settled in Syria in the 2nd millennium BC called the city “Halaba,” which translates from their language as “white.” In support of this assumption, it should be noted that the soil in Aleppo is light in color, and the city has been the main center for marble mining in the region since ancient times. Another version is based on the myth according to which Abraham treated travelers with the milk of his red cow and therefore the toponym Aleppo means “giving (presenting) milk.” Even less is known about the city's first settlers. Ethnic composition of the population throughout the entire period of existence Aleppo changed more than once. The first inhabitants of Aleppo are believed to be of Semitic origin. Then the above-mentioned Amorites, who were also Semites, settled on the territory of Syria. The further conquest of the country by the Hittites, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans significantly influenced National composition population. After the Arab conquest of Syria and the transfer of the Umayyad capital to Damascus, the ethnic balance of the country no longer changed. The city has a small Armenian diaspora, Syrian Orthodox Christians and Catholics, and a relatively minuscule number of Syrian Jews.

Aleppo, Since ancient times, it has been famous as an important trading center through which caravan routes passed. This ancient Middle Eastern city, thanks to its advantageous geographical location and the wealth of natural resources, could not help but attract the attention of neighboring peoples and changed hands more than once. It is reported in early Hittite Anatolian records. The city is also mentioned in ancient list Marie- a city located near the Euphrates River in northeastern Syria. In the second half of the 2nd millennium BC, Aleppo found itself part of the Hittite state and quite long time was considered a strategically important center of the Hittite state in the south, as well as a crossing point for caravan routes going mainly from Egypt and back. However, after the invasion of the so-called “peoples of the sea”, the Hittite state fell. For some time, the influence of another ancient Syrian city increased - Damascus, which subjugates neighboring territories to its power. However, already in the 9th century BC, all of Syria was part of a powerful Assyrian power, as part of which it lasted until the 7th century BC, when the capital of the Assyrians, Nineveh, was captured by the troops of the Neo-Babylonian kingdom and Media in 612 BC, and the territories under its control were divided between the allies. Syria went first. However, in the 6th century BC, a new competitor appeared on the horizon in the person of the sharply risen Achaemenid powers. The first Persian king, Cyrus II, who founded his state on the site of Media, sought to seize neighboring lands. In 539 BC, Babylon fell to the Persian army. All its former colonies were transferred to the growing Persian Empire. The next masters of Syria were the Macedonians. In 331 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the troops of Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela. The once powerful Achaemenid state fell. All her possessions were part of the new empire. After the death of the great commander, all the territories he conquered were divided among his comrades. Aleppo, like all of Syria, became part of the Seleucid Empire. Under the first kings, Aleppo was rebuilt and received a new name - Berea. The role of Aleb as important shopping center increases again. However, at the same time, its next competitor in the person of Palmyra. For almost 3 centuries, Syria was part of the Seleucids. In 64 BC, almost the entire territory of this country was captured by the Roman legions of Pompey. After the complete subjugation of Palmyra in the 3rd century, Aleppo became the main center of trade in the Middle East, taking this title from its long-time rival. The city has retained its significance as part of Byzantine Empire. In 637, Syria fell under the blows of new conquerors - the Arabs. The importance of the country is confirmed by the fact that one of its central cities, namely Damascus, in 661 became the capital of the Arab Umayyad dynasty, which remained in power until 750. Aleppo continued to remain significant center trade. In 944, the ruler of Hamadan, Saif al-Daul, took advantage of the weakness of the Abbasids and captured Aleppo. During this period, fortress walls and gates were built. Under him, the city retains its status as one of the most important points of caravan routes. However, in 962, the Byzantine ruler Nikephoros Phocas managed to return Aleppo to the empire. Since the end of the 11th century, at Near East The crusaders carry out their first campaign, driven by the call of the Pope. The Second Crusade could not but affect Aleppo. The crusaders were unable to take the fortress by storm and were forced to retreat. However, the seizure of neighboring territories dealt a blow to Aleb's trade. Even before the start of the third crusade, the city was occupied by the army of Salahaddin Ayyubid, who turned Aleppo into one of the main strategic points of the Muslims. The situation did not change under his successors. Under the Ayyubids, Aleppo only lost its status as a center of trade. Now the main crossing point was Antioch, located south of Palmyra. The situation did not change, either under the Mongols or under Emir Timur. Only after the death of the latter, Aleppo regained its title as the trading center of the Middle East. In 1517 Syria became part of Ottoman Empire . Aleppo, during its existence of this state was considered third after Istanbul and Cairo big city. Aleppo, as part of the Ottoman Empire, experienced many ups and downs. In 1832, the governor Ottoman Sultan in Egypt, Muhammad Ali captures Syria and neighboring territories and holds them under his rule for 8 years. From this period, the role of Aleppo as a center of trade in the Middle East, as well as as a strategic point, noticeably decreased. All this is connected with the rise of Aleppo’s old rival, Damascus, as well as with the opening in 1869 of the famous Suez Canal. The situation changed after the First World War. In 1920, Syria was invaded French army. In 1922, France received a mandate to administer this territory. During the French era of control of the country, Aleppo was again revived as a center of trade. In 1946, Syria achieved complete independence from France and, for the first time in its history, entered an era of independent development that has been going on for 70 years.

Despite the paucity of information about Aleppo, some written sources have survived. 11th century Persian explorer Nasir Khosrow, for example, described the commercial life of the city, as well as the duties levied on imported foreign goods. In Aleppo in different eras Various figures of science and art lived and worked: poets Al-Mutanabbi and Abu Al-Firas, philosophers Al-Farabi and Yahya ibn Habash Suhrawardi, linguists Ibn Kalaw and Yehuda Al-Harizi. In Aleppo, the Azerbaijani poet Nasimi was executed in 1447, and his remains are buried here in the family cemetery. Subsequently, this place turns into a sanctuary and this moment is an object of pilgrimage. It is worth noting Bahaddin ibn Shaddad, a religious figure and historian, author of “ Lives of Salahaddin", as well as described in his scientific works Aleppo, where for a long time he was an adviser to Salahaddin’s son, Malik Al-Zahir. It is impossible not to mention the great geographer and traveler Yakut Ar-Rumi Al-Hamawi, the author of “Mu'jama al-buldan” (“Dictionary of Countries”), the son of the Byzantine Greeks, who wrote most of his work in Aleppo and Mosul. His work includes includes a description of cities and countries of the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Aleppo It is famous not only for scientists and artists, but also for its magnificent architectural structures. The dates of construction of some of them go back to the depths of world history. First of all, we should mention the Aleppo fortress. This building is located above Aleppo, on a 50-meter hill. Many scientists believe that it was built before our era by the Hittites. It is believed that there was a temple to Hittite deities inside. Under the Greeks, the citadel also served as a religious sanctuary, and only under the Arabs did it begin to be used for defensive purposes from the middle of the 10th century, when it was built by Saif Al-Daul. Sultan Malik Al-Zahir, the son of Salahaddin, almost completely rebuilt the entire internal complex of the fortress. Old city surrounded by a wide 22-meter moat. You can enter the historical part of Aleppo only from the south, through the bridge leading to the outer tower (Bab Antakya or Antioch Gate). Inside the complex, tourists can see magnificent structures belonging to various architectural styles. Particular attention of visitors is attracted by the palace of Malik Al-Zahir (12th century) and the 2 mosques located nearby. Of great interest is the Umayyad Great Mosque al-Jami al-Kabir (or Great Mosque of Aleppo), built in 715 and restored several times by different Muslim leaders of the city. Another ancient mosque in Aleppo is the Jami al-Tuta (mulberry tree mosque), built by Caliph Omar during the early Arab conquests, which has also been restored more than once. The Jami Kykan Mosque (or Crow Mosque), built in the 13th century, is of no less interest to tourists. In the outer wall of the structure there is a stone with Hittite hieroglyphs. It was thanks to this inscription that modern linguists were able to unravel the secret of the Hittite letter. In the Old Town there are quite a large number of mosques and minarets built in different historical eras. For example, the Al-Rumi mosque was built under the Mamluks in the 14th century. The Al-Bahramiya, Al-Adiliya, Al-Saffahiya mosques were built in the 15th-16th centuries during the Ottoman Empire. Along with Muslim religious institutions in Aleppo there are also a great many (43 churches) Christian buildings. The Armenian Church of the Forty Martyrs in the Christian quarter of Jade was built in the 15th century and has been restored more than once. Syrian Catholics have their own sanctuary - the Church of St. Elijah. One more Orthodox Church, which, unfortunately, is poorly preserved, is the Church of St. Simeon the Stylite. Among the equally significant architectural buildings of Aleppo, it is worth noting the Khair Bey Mausoleum, the Aleppo National Library and Museum, the Bab Al-Faraj Chapel and many other buildings. In the Old part of the city there are many medieval buildings and quarters, where, along with Muslims, local Christians also live quite peacefully. Some of the historical buildings are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Aleppo, perhaps, is the only city in the world in which buildings from various historical eras and various architectural styles. Aleppo is a mixture of eastern and western schools of art, which complement each other wonderfully. Words are not enough to describe the beauty of the city. That is why many tourists from all over the world come to Aleppo every year. The old part of Aleppo combines very well with modern multi-storey buildings new part. Thanks to its good preservation architectural structures the city even managed to get ahead of its old competitor in Damascus, the current capital of Syria.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aleppo Citadel is perhaps the most picturesque medieval fortress Middle East. This imposing structure overlooks the city on a 50m high hill, with some of the ruins dating back to 1000 BC. They say this is where Abraham milked his cows. The city is surrounded by a 22 m wide moat, and the only entrance is located in the outer tower on the south side. Inside there is a 12th-century palace, built by the son of Salah ad-din, and two mosques. The Great Mosque is especially beautiful with its separate 12th-century minaret, decorated with openwork stone carvings.

The old town around the citadel is a stunning labyrinth of narrow, crooked streets and hidden courtyards. The bazaar is the largest indoor market in the Middle East. It seems that the stone arches stretch into the distance for many kilometers, and a variety of stalls sell everything you can imagine.

Aleppo is known for the best examples of Islamic architecture in Syria; the city is called the second capital of the country. This is one of the most interesting cities in the Middle East.

Best time to visit

From March to May or from September to October.

Do not miss

• Archaeological Museum of Aleppo.
• Bab Antakya is the old western gate of the bazaar.
• Maronite Cathedral.
• Armenian Church.
• Church of St. Simeon - 60 km from Aleppo, built in 473 in honor of Simeon the Stylite, who spent 37 years on top of the column, striving to get closer to the Lord.
• This is one of oldest churches peace.

Should know

Although Aleppo's population is 70% Arab (Shiite Muslim) and Kurdish (Sunni), it is home to the largest Christian community in the Middle East after Beirut. After the formation of the State of Israel, the socio-political atmosphere of “ethnic cleansing” led to the fact that the Jewish community of 10 thousand people was forced to emigrate, mainly to the United States and Israel.

Syria's population is about 22 million. Most of the population is concentrated along the banks of the Euphrates and on the coast Mediterranean Sea. The total population density is 103 people/km². In Syria, education is guaranteed free from 6 to 11 years of age and is compulsory. 12 years of schooling consist of 6 years primary school, three years of general education and another three years of special training required for admission to the university. Literacy among Syrians over 15 years of age is 86% for men and 73.6% for women. Average duration life - 70 years.

Ethnic composition

Syrian Arabs (including about 400 thousand Palestinian refugees) make up about 90% of the country's population.

The largest national minority, the Kurds, make up 9% of the Syrian population. Most Kurds live in the north of the country, many still use the Kurdish language. There are also Kurdish communities in all major cities.

The second largest national minority is the Armenians, who make up 2-3% of the country's population. 75% of Syrian Armenians live in Aleppo, 15% in Damascus.

Circassians, who are descendants of Muslim migrants from the Caucasus, and Turkmens, who are primarily engaged in semi-nomadic cattle breeding and agriculture, also live in Syria. Half of the Circassians, before the destruction of the administrative center by the Israelis, lived in the province of Quneitra, many of whom later moved to Damascus.

Religion

90% of the population of Syria are Muslims, 10% are Christians. Of the Muslims, 87% are Sunnis, the remaining 13% are Alawites and Ismailis, as well as Shiites, the number of which has been constantly increasing since 2003 due to the flow of refugees from Iraq. Among Christians, half are Syrian Orthodox, 18% are Catholics (mainly members of the Syrian Catholic and Melkite Catholic churches).

There are significant communities of the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches.

Largest cities

The Christian Quarter, built in the 16th century and located in Aleppo, originates from the Old City and extends to the north. In ancient times it was home to Christian communities and has preserved numerous churches and beautiful residences to this day. The quarter is also a reflection of the diversity of cultures and religions: Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Gregorian and others.

Among the many residential premises with low facades, the Museum building stands out noticeably folk art and traditions, revealing valuable secrets of the country.

Today, the Christian Quarter is full of charm, and some of its old houses have been converted into hotels, boutiques selling Western brands and chic restaurants.

Citadel in Aleppo

The Citadel is a fortress in the center of Aleppo, which was built in the years 944-967.

The construction of the first fortifications was carried out by the founder of the fortress, the ruler of Aleppo Saif al-Dola. During the Crusades, the fortress served as a stronghold for both one side and the other.

At the very beginning of the 13th century, the fortress grew and turned into a rich city. On its territory there were mosques, palaces, an arsenal, warehouses and many other necessary buildings. The city began to develop beyond the fortress walls only after 1516, when the city was captured by the Ottoman Empire.

Unfortunately, the fortress was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1828, the consequences of which are still being tried to be eliminated in our time.

The fortress is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Rasafa Ghost Town

The dead city of Rasafa is one of the most interesting attractions in Syria. The city is located in the east of the country, near the city of Raqqa. Getting to the city is not at all easy - there is no public transport here, and therefore you can get there by car or taxi along a broken dirt road from Al Mansur or Palmyra, or along the modern Raqqa-Aleppo highway.

In ancient times, the city changed its name several times. The last name of the city in inhabited status is Sergiopolis (“city of Sergius”). It received this name due to the events associated with the death of one of the Christian saints -Reverend Sergius, who was brutally murdered in Rasafa during the Diocletian Christian persecution.

Today this city is abandoned. In the 13th century, its inhabitants moved to the city of Hama by order of Sultan Baybars.

And although these days the city is almost completely hidden under a layer of sand, it makes an indelible impression. It can rightfully be called one of the most majestic, mysterious and beautiful" dead cities"Syria.

The city is built from marble-like limestone, similar to pink mica, so the city simply sparkles and shimmers in the sunset.

The most significant and interesting monuments of Rasafa: city gates, cathedral, basilica, ancient water tanks, city walls and towers.

There is more than one mosaic museum in Syria, but the museum located in the city of Maarat al-Numan deserves special attention. It has the most diverse and rich exposure compared to others. The building in which it is located is noteworthy - it is a caravanserai built in the 16th century for travelers and merchants.

The territory of the museum complex occupies several hectares. Here are collected Roman and Byzantine mosaics from the 6th century, brought from nearby dead cities, floor and wall paintings depicting animals, mythological heroes and gods, everyday scenes, as well as rare mosaic icons and ornamental fragments. You can also see sarcophagi and tombstones, pottery, and stone tomb doors.

Photography in the museum premises is strictly prohibited; you can only photograph those exhibits that are located under open air, and always without a flash - according to the museum administration, bright light adversely affects the condition of the mosaics.

Church of St. Simeon

The Church of St. Simeon the Stylite was built by Simeon’s disciple, St. Daniel the Stylite, who turned to Emperor Leo the First with a request to perpetuate the memory of his teacher.

However, the church was built under another emperor, Zeno, around the 5th century. The building was built in an octagonal form with a diameter of 30 meters with exedra, and in the middle of the building there is a high pillar on which Saint Simeon labored for the last 33 years out of the 47 years he was on the pillars. The building is covered with a wooden dome in the form of an octagonal pyramid 40 meters high.

In the 10th century, the temple complex was surrounded by fortress walls with 27 towers, which became the beginning of the emergence of Simeon's fortress. In the 12th century, the fortress was captured by the crusaders, and a century later the building fell into disrepair. Numerous pilgrims always came here for a piece of the column of St. Simeon, which was believed to help against illnesses.

Archaeological site of Sergilla

The dead city of Serjilla (Sergil) is located 60 kilometers from Aleppo, near the city of Maarat al-Numan. In addition to Sergilla, there is a whole network of ancient Byzantine settlements scattered here, most of them well preserved. The first houses date back to the 3rd-4th century AD; the heyday of cities in this area dates back to the 4th-6th centuries.

Sergilla attracts tourists and researchers from all over the world. A large-scale archaeological site has been developed here, and excavations continue to this day. In a relatively small area, Roman baths, residential villas, a church built in 372 (the oldest in the region), a necropolis with tombs carved into stone, and oil presses have been preserved. You can also see watchtowers and a tavern building here. The reason why the residents left the city is still unknown, but all the buildings have been preserved almost unchanged - some are missing only roofs and ceilings between floors.

Surgilla offers organized excursions from the hotel, but you can come and wander the streets of the ancient city on your own.

Al Madina Market

Al-Madina market, located in the Syrian city of Aleppo, is considered the largest covered market in the world, with long story. Most souks (covered markets) have existed here since the 14th century. The 13-kilometer-long market also contains caravanserais designed to house merchants and store goods, many of which are architectural monuments.

Luxury goods from other countries and locally produced goods are sold here. Prices are significantly lower than at the famous Al-Hamidiya market in Damascus. At the Al Madina market you can buy everything from copper jewelry to expensive silks. The best souvenir from Aleppo is considered to be natural olive soap, which is produced by local soap factories with 300-500 years of tradition. You can find it in one of the parts of the huge market, which is called Suq Al-Saboun.

Since 1986, as part of the Old City of Aleppo, Al Madina Market has been included in the List world heritage UNESCO. During mortar attacks in 2012, many parts of the market were badly damaged or completely destroyed.

Armenian Apostolic Church of the Forty Martyrs

The Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs, belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church, is located on the site of an earlier building (a Christian chapel). The first mention of this cathedral dates back to 1476; the building acquired its current appearance at the beginning of the 17th century. This is one of the many churches of the Armenian Apostolic Church located in Syria.

The Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs is notable for its ancient and modern icons, among which the Last Judgment (early 18th century) occupies a special place. The design of the cathedral is interesting - it does not have a dome, but there are three altars. The interior of the Church of the Forty Martyrs corresponds to the traditions of Armenian churches - it is strict, even ascetic, and does not differ in pomp. The temple underwent numerous reconstructions; for a long time it was the spiritual center of the Armenian diaspora in Syria. Even an entire Armenian quarter grew up around it, which until recently was lively and prosperous. Now, due to the tense political situation, many residents have left it. Currently, the Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs is one of the oldest churches in Aleppo and houses a museum.

Great Mosque of Aleppo

The Great Mosque of Aleppo or the Umayyad Mosque was built in 715. Here, according to legend, is the grave of Father John the Baptist Zacharias.

The Great Mosque is the oldest and largest mosque in Aleppo.

Particularly noteworthy is the 45-meter minaret, which was restored during the time of Abul Hasan Muhammad in 1090. Unfortunately, during its history, the mosque was destroyed after a fire, which allowed Sultan Nur ed-Din Zengid to restore and slightly expand its area in 1169.

The minaret is decorated with carved inscriptions and ornaments. The courtyard is famous for its black and white stone pavement, which forms various geometric shapes.

The most popular attractions in Aleppo with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places to visit famous places of Aleppo on our website.