Probably the oldest inhabited city in the world and still a buzzing hive of
activity. Famous for its citadel that towers over it. Traditionally a city of
trade, especially before the Suez canal, it used to link Europe and Adia. A
truly charming oriental city.
Aleppo is the city of Architecture. One can find various styles in it;
architectures of the XIIIth and XIVth centuries, like the caravanserais, Qoraan
schools and Hammam ( Turkish baths), in the old city.
Architecture of the XVIth and XVIIth centuries, in the residencies of the delicate
bourgeoisie of the “Jdayde” quarter, with its magnificent stone engravings.
Baroque Architecture of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth centuries, in the
“Azizyeh” quarter (e.g. la Villa Rosa).
The new chic “Chahba” quarter is a mixture of several styles, i.e. Neo -Classic,
Norman , Oriental , etc. You can even find some Chinese pagodas. Aleppo is
built entirely from stone .
DEAD CITIES AROUND ALEPPO :
Qalb Lozeh Church :
Situated 65 km west of Aleppo, is the beautiful church at
Qalb Lozeh. This basilica dating back to the 5th century is located in the small
village of Qalb Lozeh (one of the dead cities) meaning ‘Heart of the Almond’,
and is one of the most beautiful basilicas in Syria and is a masterpiece of
Syrian Byzantine art. It … MORE
ST SIMEON :
This citadel is 60 km north-west of Aleppo. It was named after the
hermit Saint Simon (Sam’an), a shepherd from northern Syria, who became a
monk after a revelation in a dream. Following Saint Simon’s death in 459 ,
the Emperor Zenon ordered that a cathedral be built where the saint used to
pray. The layout was original, centering on … MORE
