Aleppo

Aleppo is in northern Syria, close to the border with Turkey. The city has variously been under the control of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Mongols, the Mamluks and the Ottomans.

Aleppo’s strategic location midway between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates River, meant that it was the natural choice for the end-point of the Silk Road. This eminent trading history has blessed Aleppo with the largest covered souqs in the world, at around 12 hectares, which are fantastic for shopping, and there are a number of historical khans, or caravanserais, that can be visited along the way, including Khan Al Wazir, Khan Al Harir and Khan Al Gumrok.

The souqs lead up to the magnificent Citadel of Aleppo, which is built on a hill in the middle of the city, and is fitting testament to the history of frequent invasion that Aleppo has endured over the centuries.

Now, thanks to the assistance of the Historic Cities Programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the absence of marauding Mongols, the Citadel can be enjoyed in its full splendour. The area surrounding the entrance to the Citadel has recently been pedestrianised and a number of cafes have sprung up here from where you can admire the Citadel and people-watch whilst sipping a refreshing mint and lemon.

In addition to the Citadel, there are a number of fascinating religious buildings to visit, among them the Great Mosque of Aleppo, founded by Ummayyad Caliph Walid I in around 715, the beautiful Madrasa Faradis, built 1234-1237 by the widow of Malik Zahir; and the Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs, a fifteenth century Armenian church (there is a sizeable Armenian diaspora community in Aleppo.)

Aleppo’s rich trading history, as well as its location in a fertile area famed for its pistachios, olives and fruit, has further blessed Aleppo with a wonderful cuisine, recognized by the International Academy of Gastronomy with its culinary prize in 2007. We sample this delicious cuisine at a lovely restaurant, located in a restored traditional old Aleppan courtyard house.

Click here to see our Syria tours

Other places of interest in Syria:

Qasr Al Heer Ash Sharqi

Shahba

St Simeon & the Dead Cities

Ugarit