Main attractions and historical building
The attractions of the city of Aleppo is
- its 13th-century citadel witch it was built by Seif
al-Daula al hamadani on the remains of earlier civilizations. The
citadel?s fortified entrance is a marvellous example of Arab military
architecture. On the north and south sides, great towers rise above
the moat. This moat, 20 meters deep and 30 meters wide, emphasized the
fortress?s proud isolation. The main parts of the citadel are: The
throne room, the bathroom, the small mosque (Ibrahim?s mosque).
- 12th-century Great Mosque or Al-Jami al-Kabir (was
built by the Umayyad dynasty witch is one of the largest mosques in
the world). The great mosque built in 1213 whose square minaret is 21
meters high and from which can be seen a splendid view
- Souqs (Old Markets):
In terms of spaciousness and originality, the covered souqs of
Aleppo, which extend for more than 10 kilometres, are the most
striking in any Islamic city. The souqs are named after the various
crafts: hence, we find the souq of gold, the souq of copper, cotton,
etc. Traditionally, there is always a fountain in the centre and
sometimes a little garden planted with jasmine and roses. Most of
these souqs date back to the 15th century. They are living museum,
which depict medieval life
- Commercial Khans (caravanserais): The Khans are in the same
area as the souqs, since they were used for the accommodation of
traders and their goods. Their beautiful facades and entrances
characterize these Khans; their high arches and portified wooden
doors. Some of these Khans are Banadiqa Khan, ?Banadiqa? in
Arabic being the term of ?inhabitants of Venice', Jumruk Khan
(customs), Wazir Khan (minister) and Saboun Khan (Soap).
- Various 17th-century medersas (Old schools),
churches, palaces, hammams (public bath houses),
ancient houses, some dating back to the 15th
century, like the al-Bunduqiah (Venetian) Consulate, which
contains superb ornaments and antiquities.
- Other attractions to the city of Aleppo include, the
National Museum or Archaeological Museum witch contains
exhibits from the stone age to modern times. It has particularly
interesting collection of antiquities from some of the most ancient
sites in Syria including Mari,
Ugarit,
and Ebla, as well as objects found in the Euphrates Basin,
Hama,
Tell Halaf and Ein Dara, in addition to remains from Greek,
Roman, Arab and Islamic periods.
- More attractions are
the Museum of Popular Tradition and the Baron Hotel.
The Baron Hotel has seen the likes of US President Theodore Roosevelt,
Aviator Charles Lindbergh, Kemal Attaturk (founder of Turkey), Lady
Louis Mountbatten, author Agatha Christie and her archaeologist
husband Sir Max Mallowan. None more famous than T.E. Lawrence of
Arabia, whose rooms are available.
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