Etymology
Coin of the Umayyad Caliphate, based on a Sassanian prototype, copper falus, Aleppo, Syria, circa 695 CE.
Aleppo was known to antiquity as Khalpe, Khalibon, and to the Greeks as Beroea. During the Crusades, and again during the French Mandate, the name Alep was used: "Aleppo" is an Italianised version of this. However, the ancient name of the city, Halab, is of obscure origin. Some have proposed that Halab means 'iron' or 'copper' in Amorite languages since it was a major source of these metals in antiquity. Halaba in Aramaic means white, referring to the color of soil and marble abundant in the area. Another proposed etymology is that the name Halab means "gave out milk," coming from the ancient tradition that Abraham gave milk to travelers as they moved throughout the region (p. 53). The colour of his cows was ashen (Arab. shaheb), therefore the city is also called "Halab ash-Shahba'" (he milked the ash-coloured).
History
Because the modern city occupies its ancient site, Aleppo has scarcely been touched by archaeologists. The site has been occupied from around 5000 BC, as excavations in Tallet Alsauda show. It grew as the capital of the kingdom of Yamkhad until the ruling Amorite Dynasty was overthrown around 1600 BC. The city remained under Hittite control until perhaps 800 BC before passing through the hands of the Assyrians and the Persian Empire. Alexander the Great took over the city in 333 BC, where Seleucus Nicator changed the name of the settlement into Beroea, after Beroea in Macedon. Aleppo remained under Greek rule for 300 years before becoming ruled by the Roman Empire, when the Romans conquered Syria in 64 BC.
The city remained part of the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire before falling to Arabs under Khalid ibn al-Walid in 637. In 944, it became the seat of an independent Emirate under the Hamdanid prince Sayf al-Daula, and enjoyed a period of great prosperity, being home to the great poet al-Mutanabbi and the philosopher and polymath al-Farabi. The city was sacked by a resurgent Byzantine Empire in 962, while Byzantine forces occupied it briefly from 974 to 987. The city and its Emirate became an Imperial vassal from 969 until the Byzantine-Seljuk Wars. The city was twice besieged by the Crusadersn 1098 and in 1124ut was not conquered.
On August 9, 1138, a deadly earthquake ravaged the city and the surrounding area. Although estimates from this time are very unreliable, it is believed that 230,000 people died, making it the fifth deadliest earthquake in recorded history.
The city came under the control of Saladin and then the Ayyubid Dynasty from 1183.
Ancient City of Aleppo*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party
Syria
Type
Cultural
Criteria
iii, iv
Reference
21
Region**
List of World Heritage Sites in the Arab States
Inscription history
Inscription
1986 (10th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.
On January 24, 1260 the city was taken by the Mongols under Hulagu in alliance with their vassals the Frank knights of the ruler of Antioch Bohemond VI and his father-in-law the Armenian ruler Hetoum I. The city was bravely defended by Turanshah, but the walls fell after six days of bombardment, and the citadel fell four weeks later. The Muslim population was massacred, though the Christians were spared. Turanshah was shown unusual respect by the Mongols, and was allowed to live because of his age and bravery. The city was then given to the former Emir of Homs, al-Ashraf, and a Mongol garrison was established in the city. Some of the spoils were also given to Hethoum I for his assistance in the attack. The Mongol Army then continued on to Damascus, which surrendered, and the Mongols entered the city on March 1, 1260.
In September, the Egyptian Mamluks negotiated a treaty with the Franks of Acre which allowed them to pass through Crusader territory unmolested, and engaged the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut on September 3, 1260. The Mamluks won a decisive victory, killing the Mongols' Nestorian Christian general Kitbuqa, and five days later they had re-taken Damascus. Aleppo was recovered by the Muslims within a month, and a Mamluk governor placed to govern the city. Hulagu sent troops to try and recover Aleppo in December. They were able to massacre a large number of Muslims in retaliation for the death of Kitbuqa, but after a fortnight could make no other progress and had to retreat.
The Mamluk governor of the city became insubordinate to the central Mamluk authority in Cairo, and in Autumn 1261 the Mamluk leader Baibars send an army to reclaim the city. In October 1271, the Mongols took the city again, attacking with 10,000 horsemen from Anatolia, and defeating the Turcoman troops who were defending Aleppo. The Mamluk garrisons fled to Hama, until Baibars came north again with his main army, and the Mongols retreated.
On October 20, 1280, the Mongols took the city again, pillaging the markets and burning the mosques. The Muslim inhabitants fled for Damascus, where the Mamluk leader Qalawun assembled his forces. When his army advanced, the Mongols again retreated, back across the Euphrates. Aleppo returned to native control in 1317.[citation needed]
In 1400, the Mongol-Turkic leader Tamerlane captured the city again from the Mamluks. He massacred many of the inhabitants, infamously ordering the building of a tower of 20,000 skulls outside the city.
Aleppo in 1912, centered on its citadel mound
The city became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1516, when the city had around 50,000 inhabitants. Reference is made to the city in 1606 in William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth.' The witches torment the captain of the ship the Tiger which was headed to Aleppo from England but endured a 567 day voyage before returning unsuccessfully to port. Reference is also made to the city in Shakespeare's 'Othello' when Othello speaks his final words (ACT V, ii, 349f.): "Set you down this/And say besides that in Aleppo once,/Where a malignant and a turbanned Turk/Beat a Venitia and traduced the state,/I took by th' throat the circumcised dog/And smote him--thus!" (Arden Shakespeare Edition, 2004).
The city remained Ottoman until the empire's collapse, but was occasionally riven with internal feuds as well as attacks of the plague and later cholera from 1823. By 1901 its population was around 125,000. The city revived when it came under French colonial rule but slumped again following the decision to give Antioch to Turkey in 19381939.
Aleppo was named by the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) as the capital of Islamic culture in 2006.
Culture
There is a relatively clear division between old and new Aleppo. The older portions were contained within a wall, 5 km in circuit with nine gates. The huge medieval castle in the city known as the Citadel of Aleppo occupies the center of the city.
Historical Aleppo
The entrance of the Citadel
Historically, the old city of Aleppo was built around the acropolis where the citadel stands today. Aleppo flourished under many civilizations and developed a highly organized social, religious and economical structure early on in history. Being subjected to constant invasions and political instability, the inhabitants of the city were forced to build cell-like quarters and districts that were socially and economically independent. Each district was characterized by the religious and ethnic characteristics of its inhabitants. One of the finest examples of a cell-like quarter in Aleppo is Jdeydeh. After Timur Leng invaded Aleppo in 1400 and destroyed it, the Christians migrated out of city walls and established their own cell in the north western region of the city. The inhabitants of Jdeydeh, were mainly brokers who facilitated trade between foreign traders and local merchants. The quarter houses some of the finest churches, court yard houses and palaces, some of which were converted into museums, schools, hotels and restaurants.
Suqs and Khans
Entrance to the main suq (view from the citadel)
Inside the suq
The city's strategic trading position attracted settlers of all races and beliefs who wished to capitalize on the commercial roads that met in Aleppo from as far as China and Mesopotamia to the east, Europe to the west, and the fertile crescent and Egypt to the south. It is therefore not surprising to find the largest covered market, or suq, in the world in Aleppo with approximately 12 hectares. The Medina, as it is locally known, is an active trade centre for imported luxury goods, such as raw silk from Iran, spices and dyes from India, and coffee from Damascus. The Medina also is home to local products such as wool, agricultural products and soap. Most of the souqs date back to the 14th century and are named after various professions and crafts, hence the wool souq, the copper souq, and so on. Aside from trading, the souq accommodated the traders and their goods in khans (caravanserais) scattered in the souq. The khans also take their names after their location in the souq and function, and are characterized by their beautiful facades and entrances with fortified wooden doors.
The most important suqs include:
Suq Al-Attareen (Permufers Suq)
Suq Khan Al-Nahhaseen (Coopery Suq)
Suq Al-Haddadeen (Balcksmiths' Suq)
Suq Al-Saboun (Soap Suq)
Suq Al-Atiq (the Old Suq)
Al-Suweiqa (Suweiqa means small suq in Arabic)
Suq Al-Hokedun (Hokedun means the spiritual house in Armenian)
The most famous khans include:
Khan Al-Wazir
Khan Al-Harir (Silk Khan)
Khan Al-Shouneh
Khan Al-Gumrok
Khan Khayer Bek
Khan of Venetians
Historic buildings
Byzantine and lately Mamluk hall of the citadel
The Grand Seray d'Alep next to Khusruwiyah Mosque
The Citadel, a large fortress built atop a huge, partially artificial mound rising 50 m above the city. The current structure dates from the 13th century and had been extensively damaged by earthquakes, notably in 1822.
Madrasa Halawiye, built in 1124 on the original site of the Cathedral of St. Helen, where, according to tradition, a Roman temple stood also. Then Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, built a great Byzantine cathedral there. When the Crusaders were pillaging the surrounding countryside, the city's chief judge converted St. Helena's cathedral into a mosque, and finally in the middle of the 12th century, Nur al-Din founded a madrasa or religious school here. Parts of the 6th century Christian construction, turned into an Islamic school after the Crusaders invasion, and including 6th century Byzantine columns, can be seen in the hall. It has also a fine 14th century mihrab.
Madrasa Faradis ("School of the Paradise"), defined "the most beautiful of the mosques of Aleppo". It was built by the widow of malek Zahir in 12341237, then regent for Nasir Yusuf. Notable is the courtyard, which has a pool in the middle surrounded by arches with ancient columns, sporting capitals with a honeycomb pattern. The same style characterizes the domes of the prayer hall. Also fine is the mirhab, decorated with arabesque motifs.
Madrasa Moqaddamiye, the oldest theological school in the city (1168), with a porch sporting arabesque medallions. It was also converted to this use after the Crusades.
Madrasa Zahiriye (1217).
Madrasa Sultaniye, begun by malek Zahir and finished in 12231225 by his son al-Aziz. Noteworthy is the mirhab of the prayer room.
Madrasa Al-Uthmaniyah (1730).
Khanqah AL-Farafra, a 13th century sufi monastery (1237).
Bimaristan Arghun al-Kamili, an asylum which worked from 1354 until the early 20th century.
Beit Achiqbash, Beit Ghazaleh and Bait Dallal, 17th-18th centuries houses in the Jdeydeh quarter, showing fine decorations, nowadays turned into museums.
National Library of Aleppo.
Clock Tower of Bab Al Faraj.
Grand Seray d'Alep, the former seat of the governor of Aleppo.
Religious buildings
Minaret of the Great Mosque
Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs of the Armenian church
Great Mosque of Aleppo (Jmi Bani Omayya al-Kabr), founded c. 715 by Umayyad caliph Walid I and most likely completed by his successor Suleyman. The building contains a tomb associated with Zachary, father of John the Baptist. Construction of the present structure for Nur al-Din commenced in 1158. However, it was damaged during the Mongol invasion of 1260, and was rebuilt. The 45 m-high tower (described as "the principal monument of medieval Syria") was erected in 10901092 under the first Seljuk sultan, Tutush I. It has four faades with different styles.
Khusruwiyah Mosque completed in 1547, designed by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan.
Al-Nuqtah Mosque ("Mosque of the drop [of blood]"), a Shh mosque, which contains a stone said to be marked by a drop of Husayn's blood. The site is believed to have previously been a monastery, which was converted into a mosque in 944.
al-Adeliye mosque, built in 1555 the governor of Aleppo Muhammed Pasha. It has a prayer hall preceded by an arcade, with a dome, a mihrab with local faience tiles.
Al-Saffahiyah mosque, erected in 1425, with a preciously decorated octagonal minaret.
the Ayyubid-era al-Tuteh Mosque, which includes the ancient Roman triumpal arch, which once marked the beginning of the decumanus. It has 12th century kufic inscription and decorations.
Al-Qaiqan Mosque ("Mosque of the Crows"), with two ancient columns in basalt near the entrance. It includes a stone block with a Hittite inscription.
The small funerary al-Otrush mosque, begun in 1403, in Mameluke style. It has a highly decorated entrance portal in the fine faade.
Altun Bogha Mosque (1318).
Al-Tavashi mosque (14th century, restored in 1537), with a great faade decorated with colonnettes.
Al-Shibani School-Church is an old Sunday school and church of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary located in the old city, currently used as museum and exhibition centre.
Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs an Armenia church of the 15th century located in Jdeydeh quarter.
Mar Assia Al-Hakim Syriac Catholic church of the 15th century in Jdeydeh.
Our Lady of Assumption Greek Orthodox church of the 15th century in Jdeydeh.
Many other churches in Jdeydeh Christian quarter such as the Maronite Saint Elias Cathedral, the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Our Mother of Reliefs and the Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral of Virgin Mary.
The Central Synagogue of Aleppo or Al-Bandara synagogue, built circa 1200 by the Jewish community; renovated recently by the efforts of Aleppine Jewish migrants in USA.
Gates
The old city of Aleppo has had nine historical gates:
Bab al-Hadid ( ) (Iron Gate).
Bab al-Maqam ( ) (Gate of the Shrine).
Bab Antakeya ( ) (Gate of Antioch).
Bab al-Nasr ( ) (Victory Gate).
Bab al-Faraj ( ) (Gate of Deliverance).
Bab Qinnasrin ( ) (Gate of Qinnasrin).
Bb Jnn ( ) (Gate of Gardens).
Bab al-Ahmar ( ) (Red Gate).
Bab al-Nairab ( ) (Gate of Nairab).
Arts
Musicians from Aleppo, 18th century
Aleppo is considered one of the main centres of Arabic tradiional and classic music with the famous Aleppine Muwashshahs, Qududs and Maqams (religious and secular poetic-musical genres). Aleppines in general are fond of Arab classical music, the Tarab, and it is not a surprise that many artists from Aleppo are considered pioneers among the Arabs in classic and traditional music. The most prominent figures in this filed are Sabri Mdallal, Sabah Fakhri, Abed Azrie and Nour Mhanna. Aleppo hosts many music festivals every year, the most popular one is the Syrian Song Festival which is being organized every two years in the citadel amphitheatre. Many iconic artits of the Arab music like Sayed Darwish and Mohammed Abdel Wahab were visiting Aleppo to recognize the leagcy of Aleppine art and learn from its cultural heritage.
Threats to the ancient city
Randomly erected modern buildings within the old city
As an ancient trading centre, Aleppo has impressive suqs (shopping streets), khans (commercial courtyards), hammams (eastern baths), madrasas (religious schools), mosques and churches which are all in need of more care and preservation work. After World War II, the city was significantly redesigned; in 1952 the French architect Andr Gutton had a number of wide new roads cut through the city to allow easier passage for modern traffic. In the 1970s, large parts of the older city were demolished to allow for the construction of modern apartment blocks. As awareness for the need to preserve this unique cultural heritage, Gutton's master plan was finally abandoned in 1979 paving the way for UNESCO to declare the Old City of Aleppo a World Heritage Site in 1986. Several international institutions have joined efforts with local authorities to rehabilitate the old city of Aleppo by accommodating contemporary life while preserving the old one. However, the governorate and the municipality are implementing serious programmes directed towards the enhancement of the old city and Jdeydeh quarter.
Tourism and amusement
Hammam Al-Nahhaseen
The Public Park of Aleppo
Being one of the oldest cities in the world and a major centre on the ancient Silk Road, Aleppo has a number of impressive and attractive structures, in addition to the natural beauty of the region. The most splendid landmarks of the city around the citadel are the suqs, the old baths (hammams), the khans with numerous religious and cultural centres. On the other hand, the city has a large number of different modern facilities which attract tourists from all over the world, such as many luxurious hotels, casinos, bars and restaurants with their famous Aleppine foods and kebabs (grills). Many old Arabic and Armenian houses in the old city and Jdeydeh quarter are redesigned nowadays, to be used as oriental hotels, piano bars, pubs and restaurants.
Famous hammams of Aleppo include: Hammam Yalbugha Al-Nassiri, Hammam Al-Nahhaseen and Hammam Bab Al-Ahmar.
The Public Park of Aleppo which was opened in the 1940s is the largest in Syria. It is located in Aziziyeh area, where Quwq river breaks through the green park.
Museums: The National Museum of Aleppo is a journey throughout the history of Syrian civilizations, while the Aleppine House or Beit Achiqbash in Jdeydeh is the museum of popular traditions of Aleppo. The old Armenian church of the Holy Mother of God is curruntly turned into the Zarehian Museum of the Armenian Apostolic Church, also located in Jdeydeh quarter.
The Blue Lagoon is a water park located just outside Aleppo. It has several pools, toboggans, bars and restaurants.
There are many cinema halls in the city; most of them are located on Baron street, among them is the famous Cine d'Alep.
Club d'Alep with its summer and winter branches. The private club with around 600 local members has a unique tradition, being the only one of its type in the Syrian Arab Republic. The club is known for bridge games and other trick-taking card games.
Nowadays, a new wave of visitors is rediscovering this ancient trading centre, as tensions between Damascus and Washington begin to ease, as well as due to the recent loosening of visa restrictions with Turkey.
Nearby attractions
The Church of Saint Simeon (Samaan) near Aleppo, is one of the oldest standing Christian churches in the world
Ain Dara temple
Aleppo is surrounded with plenty of historical sites, the Dead Cities, which are a group of 700 abandoned settlements in northwest Syria around the city of Aleppo. Those cities date back to before the fifth century B.C and contain many remains of Christian Byzantine architecture.
Important dead cities include:
Church of Saint Simeon Stylites, a well preserved church dates back to the 5th century, located about 30 km (19 mi) north-west of Aleppo.
Ebla, an ancient ruined Aramaic city, about 55 km (34 mi) south-west of Aleppo.
Brad, an ancient settlement, 35 km (22 mi) west of Aleppo; the site of Saint Julianus Maronite monastery (built between 399-402 A.D) where the shrine of Saint Maron is located.
Ain Dara temple, an Iron Age Syro-Hittite temple, located 55 km (34 mi) north-west of Aleppo.
Cyrus, an ancient city 70 km (43 mi) north-west of Aleppo; the site of "Nabi Houri church", an old Roman amphitheatre and two old Roman bridges on Afrin river.
Kimar settlement near Basuta village, 33 km (21 mi) north-west of Aleppo. A historical village of the Roman and the Byzantine eras, backs to the fifth century A.D, contains many well-preserved churches, towers and old water reservoirs.
Mushabbak Church, an ancient Roman basilic of the late 5th century A.D, located around 20 km (12 mi) west of Aleppo. The temple is one of the best preserved churches in the "Dead Cities".
Qalb Lozeh Church ("Heart of the Almond"), is one of the most celebrated ecclesiastical monuments in Syria dating back to the second half of 5th century, located 65 km (40 mi) west of Aleppo.
Bab Al-Hawa village, 45 km (28 mi) west of Aleppo on the Turkish border; the site of many old churches of the fourth century A.D and a well preserved historical gate from the sixth century A.D.
Many other sites and dead cities in the area, are located on various distances around Aleppo such as Serjilla, Bara, Qal'at Najm, Deir Meshmesh, Deir Amman, Tell A'ade Church, etc.
The western regions around Aleppo are characterized with beautiful natural landscapes, scenic views and a mild weather, which made the area a popular and touristic destination, such as Basuta village, Kafar Janneh village and Midanki lake.
Economy
Trade & Industry
The main role of the city was as a trading place throughout the history, as it sat at the crossroads of two trade routes and mediated the trade from India, the Tigris and Euphrates regions and the route coming from Damascus in the South, which traced the base of the mountains rather than the rugged seacoast. Although trade was often directed away from the city for political reasons, it continued to thrive until the Europeans began to use the Cape route to India and later to utilize the route through Egypt to the Red Sea.
The commercial traditions in Aleppo have deep roots in the history. The commercial chmaber of Aleppo which was founded in 1885, is one of the oldest chambers in the Middle East and the Arab world. According to many historians, Aleppo was the most developed commercial and industrial city in the Ottoman Empire after Constantinople and Cairo.
Nowadays, Aleppo has the most developed commercial and industrial plants in Syria, therefore, it is considered the commercial and industrial centre of the republic. The most developed industrial sectors in the city are: textiles, electricals, chemicals, software, agricultural and food industries. Aleppo is also famous for manufacturing precious metals and stones.
The industrial city of Aleppo in Sheikh Najjar district is the largest in Syria and the region. It covers an area of 4412 hectares in the north-east of Aleppo, with an investment of 2 billion US dollars as of the end of 2009. The industrial area is still under development. It is envisaged to open hotels, exhibition centres and other structures within the industrial city.
The old traditional crafts are well-preserved in the old part of the city. The hard laurel Aleppo soap has a worldwide fame.
Construction
The replenished square next to the citadel
Aleppo is one of the fastest growing cities in Syria and the Middle East. Large numbers of villagesr and inhabitnts of other Syrian districts are migrating to Aleppo in an effort to find better job opportunities, a fact that always causes more pressure in all aspects with a growing demand on new apartments and dormitories. New districts and residential communities have been built in the suburbs of Aleppo, with many of them are still under construction.
Two major construction projects are scheduled in Aleppo: the "Old City Revival" project and the "Reopening of the stream bed of Quwq River". The Old City revival project has completed its first phase with the end of 2008 while the second phase kicked off with the beginning of 2010. The purpose of the project is the reservation of the old city of Aleppo with its souqs and khans, and the replenishment of the narrow alleys of the old city and the roads around the citadel. The second project is directed towards the revival of the flow of Quwq River, demolishing the artificial cover of the stream bed and the enhancement of the stream banks along the river in the city centre. The flow of the river was blocked during the 1960s by the Turks, hence turning the river to a tiny sewage channel, a fact that led the authorities to block the stream bed through an artificial cover. In 2006, the flow of pure water was restored through the efforts of the Syrian government, thus granting a new life to the Quwq River.
Demographics
Armenian Apostolic church of the Holy Mother of God
The Maronite Saint Elias Cathedral
Narrow street in the Christian quarter of Jdeydeh
Nearly three quarters, or 70%, of Aleppo's inhabitants are Sunni Muslims, mainly Arabs, but also Kurds and other ethnicities, including Adyghe and Albanians, Assyrians/Syriacs, Bosnians, Bulgarians, Chechens, Circassians, and Kabardin. Aleppo has one of the largest Christian communities in the Middle East (probably the second after Beirut), and the most diverse Christian community in the Orient. Between 15% and 20% of the population are members of Orthodox congregations, particularly the Syriac Orthodox Church amongst the Syriac community in Aleppo. The majority of the Syriac Christians in Aleppo speak Armenian, since they are from the city of Urfa in Turkey, where Armenian was widely spoken. Although Aleppo was known to have a large Christian population before the 20th century, the influx of Armenian and Syriac refugees caused the city's Christian population to swell greatly. Apart from adherents of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, there were also many Catholics from the Syriacs and Armenian population who came and increased the Catholic presence in the traditionally Eastern Orthodox city. The Christian Arab population of Aleppo also happens to be very varied, with Maronite and Latin Catholics, Nestorian and Syriac Orthodox being among the other congregations represented, as well as many other different denominations.
A Jewish woman and a couple of Bedouins, 1873
There are several areas within the city, inhabited with a majority of Christian and Armenian population, such as the old Christian quarter of Jdeydeh. Among the newly built Christian districts of Aleppo are the areas of Aziziyeh, Sleimaniyeh and Meydan. Nowadays there are around 43 operating church buildings in the city, belong to different eastern Christian denomiantions.
The city has had a large Jewish population since the times of King David. The great synagogue housed the 10th century AD Aleppo codex. That codex is now housed in Jerusalem. Following the 1947 Aleppo Riots, most of Aleppo's 10,000 Jewish residents aimed to migrate to Israel, as part of the Jewish exodus from Arab lands.
Up to day, the properties and houses of the Jewish families which were not sold after the migration, remain uninhabited under the protection of Syrian Government. Most of these properties are in Al-Jamiliyah and Bab Al-Naser areas, and the neighborhoods around the Central synagogue of Aleppo. Eventually, the Syrian government lifted restriction on its Jewish citizens with the sole condition that they did not travel to Israel to settle there. Most travelled to the USA, where a sizeable Syrian Jewish community currently exists in Brooklyn, New York. Today, only a handful of Jewish families still live in Aleppo, and many of the buildings such as the synagogue and the Jewish school remain empty, and are only used rarely for special events and religious ceremonies.
Transport
Chemins de Fer Syriens head quarters building, Aleppo
Railway
Aleppo was one of the first parts of Syria to obtain railway connection, with the Ottoman Empire building the Baghdad Railway through the city in 1912. The connections to Turkey and onwards to Ankara still exist today, with a twice weekly train from Damascus. It is perhaps for this historical reason that Aleppo is the headquarters of Syria national railway network, Chemins de Fer Syriens. As the railway has a relatively slow speed of passage, much of the passenger traffic to the port of Latakia had moved to road based air-conditioned coaches. But this has reversed in recent years with the 2005 introduction of South Korean built DMU's proving regular bi-hourly express service to both Latakia and Damascus, which miss intermediate stations.
Airport
Aleppo International Airport (IATA: ALP, ICAO: OSAP) is the international airport serving the city. The airport serves as a secondary hub for Syrian Arab Airlines. Airlines serving the airport include: Air Arabia, Armavia, Bahrain Air, bmi (London-Heathrow), Buraq Air, EgyptAir (Cairo), Elbrus-Avia (Nalchik), Flydubai (Dubai), Germania (Berlin-Tegel), Jazeera Airways (Kuwait), Kuban Airlines (Krasnodar), Royal Jordanian (Amman), Sama Airlines (Dammam), Syrian Pearl (Damascus) and Turkish Airlines.
Aleppo International Airport
Education
Aleppo University, Faculty of Economics
As the main economical centre of Syria, Aleppo has a large number of educational institutions. Along with the Aleppo University, there are state colleges and private universities which attract large numbers of students from other regions of Syria and the Arab countries. The number of the students in Aleppo University is more than 60 thousand. The university has 18 faculties and 8 technical colleges in the city of Aleppo.
As of 2010, there are three private universities operating in the city: Private University of Science & Arts (PUSA), Gulf University (GU), and Mamoun University for Science & Technology (MUST).
Branches of the state conservatory and the fine arts school are also operating in the city.
Aleppo is home to several private Christian & Armenian schools, and two international schools: International School of Aleppo and Lyce Franais d'Alep.
Sports
Aleppo International Stadium
The most favourite and popular sport in Aleppo is football. Aleppo has many football clubs, among which only Al-Ittihad of Aleppo, plays in the Syrian National Football League's top division for the season 20092010.
Here is a list of five major sport clubs in the city of Aleppo:
Club
Ettihad of Aleppo
Al-Horriya
Jalaa Club
Al-Yarmouk Sports Club
Ourubeh Club
Al-Ittihad is the biggest and most popular club in Syria. Al-Ittihad has its own stadium with a capacity of 12,000 spectators. But because of the huge number of their supporters, they use the city's main stadiums, Al-Hamadaniah Stadium and the Aleppo International Stadium. While 2nd division teams like Al-Horriya and Al Yarmouk, use the April 7th Municipal Stadium which can serve around 17,000 spectators.
Basketball is also very popular in Aleppo. Four clubs out of 12 in Syrian Basketball top division are from Aleppo. On the other hand, five clubs from Aleppo are included in the women's top division. The clubs of Aleppo are totally dominating the basketball leagues in Syria, especially Jalaa and Al-Ittihad. Al-Yarmouk and Al-Horriya are also included in the top division, both in men's and women's compitions, while Ourubeh club plays in the women's top division and the in men's second division.
Too many types of sports are also being practiced by the mentioned clubs and other small clubs. Tennis, Handball, Volleyball, Table Tennis and Swimming are among the favorites.
Cuisine
The Syrian cuisine in general and especially the Aleppine cuisine is very rich of its multiple types of dishes. Being surrounded by olive, nut and fruit orchards, Aleppo is famous for a love of eating, as the cuisine is the product of fertile land and location along the Silk Road. Therefore, it's not a surprise that the International Academy of Gastronomy in France awarded Aleppo its culinary prize in 2007. But in fact, Aleppo was a food capital long before Paris, because of its diverse communities combined by Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Circassians and a sizable Arab Christian population. All of those groups contributed food traditions, since Aleppo was part of the Ottoman Empire.
The city has a vast selection of different types of dishes, such as kabab, kibbeh, hummus, ful halabi, za'atar halabi, etc. Ful halabi, is a typical Aleppine breakfast meal: fava bean soup with a splash of olive oil, lemon juice and Aleppo's red peppers. The kibbeh is one of the most favourite foods for the locals, and that's why the Aleppines have invented more than 17 types of kibbeh dishes, which is considered a form of art for them. The most favourite drink is Arak, which is usually consumed along with meze and Aleppine grills and kibbeehs. The za'atar of Aleppo is a type of Syrian oregano which is very favourite among Arabs, Armenians and Turks.
Aleppo is the origin of many different types of sweets and pastries. The Aleppine sweets are characterized to contain high rates of ghee butter and sugar, such as mabrumeh, swar es-sett, balloriyyeh, etc. Other sweets include mamuniyeh, shuaibiyyat, mushabbak, zilebiyeh, ghazel al-banat etc.
Geography
The ancient city was built on a group of small hills such as Tell Sawda, Tell Aysha, Tell As-Sett, etc. Nowadays the city lies about 120 km (75 mi) inland from the Mediterranean Sea, on a plateau 380 meters above sea-level, 45 kilometers east of the Syrian-Turkish border checkpoint of Bab Al-Hawa. The old city of Aleppo enclosed in its walls and gates, lies on the east of Quwq river. The city is surrounded with fertile agricultural farms from the north and the west, widely cultivated with olive and pistachio trees. On the other hand, Aleppo approaches the dry areas of the Syrian Badiyeh (Syrian desert) in the east.
Climate
Climate data for Aleppo
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high C (F)
17
(63)
21
(70)
31
(88)
34
(93)
41
(106)
47
(117)
46
(115)
43
(109)
41
(106)
37
(99)
30
(86)
18
(64)
47
(117)
Average high C (F)
10
(50)
13
(55)
18
(64)
24
(75)
29
(84)
34
(93)
36
(97)
36
(97)
33
(91)
27
(81)
19
(66)
12
(54)
24
(75)
Average low C (F)
1
(34)
3
(37)
4
(39)
9
(48)
13
(55)
17
(63)
21
(70)
21
(70)
15
(59)
12
(54)
7
(45)
3
(37)
11
(52)
Record low C (F)
-13
(9)
-10
(14)
-7
(19)
-2
(28)
0
(32)
9
(48)
16
(61)
15
(59)
7
(45)
5
(41)
-3
(27)
-8
(18)
-13
(9)
Precipitation mm (inches)
89
(3.5)
64
(2.52)
38
(1.5)
28
(1.1)
8
(0.31)
3
(0.12)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
25
(0.98)
56
(2.2)
84
(3.31)
395
(15.55)
Source: BBC Weather 2009-12-07
Program for Sustainable Urban Development in Syria
The old city as seen from the citadel
The rogram for Sustainable Urban Development in Syria (UDP) is a joint undertaking of the German Development Cooperation GTZ, the Syrian Ministry for Local Administration and Environment (MLAE), and several other Syrian partner institutions. The program promotes capacities for sustainable urban management and development at the national and municipal level. Four components have been agreed as major fields of cooperation during the first phase (20072009):
Urban development in the city of Aleppo; this includes further support to the rehabilitation of the Old City, as well as to a long-term oriented city development strategy (CDS) and the management of informal settlements.
Rehabilitation of the Old City of Damascus; this will build on instruments and experiences established during the urban rehabilitation support for Old Aleppo.
Promoting support structures for municipalities; this includes capacity building, networking, and promoting municipal strength in the national development dialogue.
Policy advice on urban development; rapid urbanization in Syria requires adequate legislative and institutional frame-conditions as well as specific promotional programs for urban development.
The UDP cooperates closely with other interventions in the sector, namely the EU-supported 'Municipal Administration Modernization' program. It is planned to operate from 2007 to 2016.
International relations
Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Syria
Twin townsister cities
Lyon, France since 18 October 2000.
Gaziantep, Turkey
Kilis, Turkey
Hatay Province, Turkey
Brest, Belarus since 28 January 2010.
Notable people
See also: Rulers of Aleppo
Saint Simeon Stylites, prominent figure in Christianity.
Saint Maron, prominent figure in Christianity.
Al-Buhturi, famous poet in Arabic history.
Saif al-Daula al-Hamdani, ruler of Hamadanid dynasty in Aleppo.
Abu Firas al-Hamdani, famous poet in Arabic history.
Paul of Aleppo, 17th century Archdeacon of Aleppo, traveler and chronicler.
Phillip Stamma chessplayer and writer, born in 1705.
Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi, thinker and religious reformer.
Rizqallah Hassoun, founded the first Syrian newspaper in 1855.
Qestaki al-Homsi, (18581941) poet from Aleppo.
Sati' al-Husari, founder of Arab nationalism.
Mar'i Pasha Al Mallah, politician, governor general of the State of Aleppo 192426.
Subhi Barakat, politician, president of the State of Syria between 19251926.
Saadallah al-Jabiri, prime minister (1947) and patriotic leader.
Husni al-Za'im, first Syrian dictator following independence (1949).
Omar Abu-Riche, famous contemporary poet.
Nazim al-Kudsi, former president of Syria.
Amin al-Hafiz, former president of Syria.
Wahbi Al-Hariri, artist and architect.
Fateh Moudarres, worldwide Syrian painter from Aleppo (19221999).
Hilarion Capucci, struggler, Archbishop of Caeserea in exile.
Moustafa Akkad, film producer and director.
Sabri Mdallal, Arab classical songs performer (19182006).
Antranig Dzarugian, famous Armenian novelist and poet.
Aram Karamanougian, Syrian army general commander in 1940s and 1950s.
Sabah Fakhri, famous traditional songs performer.
Abed Azrie, Arab classical music performer.
Hala Gorani, news anchor of CNN International.
Abd al-Rahman Mowakket, prize winner contemporary sculptor, fine arts.
Muhammad Naji al-Otari, current Syrian prime minister.
Toros Raskelenyan, Syrian-French prize winner contemporary sculptor of Armenian origin.
George Tutunjian, famous Armenian revolutionary songs performer (19302006).
Karnig Sarkissian, famous Armenian revolutionary songs performer.
Paul Baghdadlian, Armenian worldwide singer.
Levon Ter-Petrossian, president of the Republic of Armenia between 19911998.
Vardan Oskanyan, minister of foreign affairs of Armenia between 19982008.
Muhammed Faris, first Syrian cosmonaut.
Raghda, contemporary famous actress in Egypt.
Mamoun Fansa, Director, State Museum Nature and Man, Oldenburg, Germany.
Loay Kayyali, Syrian painter.
Tony Rezko, restaurateur and political fundraiser, convicted of corruption in Chicago.
Nazir Fansa, journalist and Vice President of Syria in 1949.
Basheer Fansa, journalist and writer, publisher of a Damascus daily "Alif Bae".
Mohammad Afash, Syrian soccer player most notable for playing in European football.
Nour Mhanna, Syrian famous singer.
Avraam Russo, Russian pop singer of Syrian Armenian origin.
Photo gallery
Aleppo
The citadel amphitheatre
Internal courtyard of the Great Mosque
Minaret of al-Saffahiyah Mosque
The old Christian quarter of Jdeydeh
Mar Assia Syriac Catholic church in Jdeydeh
Historical photographs of Aleppo before and under the French rule
Musicians from Aleppo, 1915
Aleppo Citadel in 1921
The police station of Aziziyeh area in 1921
The city centre with Quwq River in the 1920s
Trams crossing the old streets of Aleppo in the 1920s
Preceded by
Mecca
Capital of islamic culture
2006
Succeeded by
Fes
See also
Language of Aleppo
Aleppo Codex
Central Synagogue of Aleppo
List of churches in Aleppo
References
Notes
^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2008). Damascus, Syria.
^ Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archeology. "Pre- and Protohistory in the Near East: Tell Qaramel (Syria)". http://www.pcma.uw.edu.pl/cas/index.php?p=111. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
^ Alexander Russell, ed (1856). The Natural History of Aleppo (1st ed.). London: Unknown. p. 266.
^ Jackson, Peter (July 1980). "The Crisis in the Holy Land in 1260". The English Historical Review 95 (376): 481513.
^ "Histoire des Croisades", Ren Grousset, p. 581, ISBN 226202569X.
^ Runciman, p. 314.
^ Runciman, pp. 336337.
^ Runciman, p. 463.
^ Battle of Aleppo@Everything2.com.
^ -Aleppo the Capital of Islamic Culture. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
^ a b Burns, Russ (1999). Monuments of Syria. New York, London. p. 35.
^ Walter P. Zener, "A Global community - the jews from aleppo, syria", pp. 35, 82.
^ "NPR web: Food Lovers Discover The Joys Of Aleppo". http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122058669.
^ "Average Conditions Aleppo, Syria". BBC Weather. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002840. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
^ "Partner Cities of Lyon and Greater Lyon". 2008 Mairie de Lyon. http://www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/en/villes_partenaires/villes_partenaires_2/?aIndex=1. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
^ "Jamahir newspaper: 28 January 2010". http://jamahir.alwehda.gov.sy/_View_news2.asp?FileName=103164560320100127234904.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aleppo
official site of Aleppo city
Organization of World Heritage Cities
eAleppo: Aleppo news and services
Coordinates: 3613 3710 / 36.217N 37.167E / 36.217; 37.167
v d e
Cities of Syria
Governorate capitals
Aleppo Damascus Daraa Deir ez-Zor Hama Al-Hasakah Hims Idlib Latakia Quneitra Ar-Raqqah As-Suwayda Tartus
District capitals
'Ayn al-'Arab Abu Kamal Afrin Al-Bab Al-Haffah Al-Malikiyah Al-Mukharram Al-Qamishli Al-Qusayr Al-Qutayfah Al-Nabk Arihah Al-Rastan Al-Safirah Al-Sanamayn Al-Suqaylabiyah Ash-Shaykh Badr Al-Tall Al-Thawrah A'zz Baniyas Darayya Duma Duraykish Fiq Harem Afrin Jableh Jableh Jarabulus Jisr ash-Shugur Ma'arrat al-Numan Manbij Al-Qutayfah Al-Nabk Arihah Al-Rastan Al-Safirah Al-Sanamayn Al-Suqaylabiyah Masyaf Mayadin Mhardeh Qardaha Palmyra Ra's al-'Ayn Safita Salamiyah Salkhad Shahba Tal Abyad Talkalakh Yabrud Zabadani
Others
Al-Darbasiyah Al-Hajar al-Aswad Binnish Bosra Dair Atiah Harasta Jaramanah Kafr Nabl Khan Shaykhun Ma'arrat Misrin Nawa Salqin Saraqib Saidnaya
v d e
Aleppo Governorate
Cities
Afrin Aleppo 'Ayn al-'Arab al-Bab Jarabulus al-Safirah
Towns and villages
A'zaz al-Aliyah Anasartha Barj Ghazzawi Deir Hafir Halisah Harbul Jawban Bayk Judayda Katma Khafsah Manbij Mari Maydan Ikbiz Nayrab al-Rubayl al-Shummari Tall al-Akhdar Tall ad-Daman Umm al-Amud Urma al-Sughra Wuquf az-Zarbah
v d e
World Heritage Sites in Syria
Ancient City of Aleppo Ancient City of Bosra Krak des Chevaliers and Qalt Salah El-Din Ancient City of Damascus Palmyra
Categories: World Heritage Sites in Syria Cities, towns and villages in Aleppo Governorate Aleppo Cities along the Silk Road History of Syria Amorite cities Fertile Crescent Arabic architecture Archaeological sites in SyriaHidden categories: Articles containing Arabic language text Articles containing Turkish language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2007 I am a professional writer from China Agriculture Net, which contains a great deal of information about bendix brake pads , ebc green stuff, welcome to visit!
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