The Aleppo Citadel, or Qalaat Halab in Arabic, is indeed, a medieval citadel of Aleppo, Syria; furthermore, it stands as one of the most striking examples of Islamic architecture preserved into the 21st century. This magnificent fortress is not only one of the oldest but also one of the largest inhabited castles in the world, consequently, witnessing the rise and fall of many empires. Additionally, it sits at the center of Aleppo, and, as a testament to its significance, UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 1986.Ultimately, the history of the Aleppo Citadel stretches back over 4,000 years.
Aleppo is the principal city in northern Syria. Its strategic location on ancient trade routes, such as the Silk Road, elevates its importance as a center of commerce and culture.Curious about Syria and its governorates, read here, Where is Syria located on the world map?People refer to the city by its Arabic name, Halab.In 1986, UNESCO designated the old city of Aleppo as a World Heritage site.Besides the citadel, Aleppo has a lot to offer, and it is home to several iconic landmarks, each narrating a unique story of its past.For example, the city serves as a market center for the surrounding agricultural area, which produces wheat, cotton, barley, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and sesame, thanks to the fertile agricultural land and its proximity to the Quwayq River water source.Additionally, Aleppo has gained fame for producing pistachios, which are exported globally.In addition, Aleppo produces the remarkable Aleppo soap. Artisans have kept the production process of Aleppo soap largely unchanged for centuries, highlighting the city’s commitment to preserving its artisanal heritage. Most importantly, the Great Mosque of Aleppo (Umayyad Mosque) represents Islamic architecture and symbolizes Aleppo’s history.Also, Aleppo’s main industries are silk weaving, cotton printing, the manufacture of soaps and dyes, and the preparation of hides, wool, dried fruit, and nuts.And of course, Aleppo has an international airport.
The citadel sits at the center of Aleppo, atop a natural hill that rises about 50 meters above the surrounding city. The monumental Citadel of Aleppo towers above the souks and mosques of the old walled city. Its elevated position provides panoramic views of the city and highlights its strategic importance in ancient military defense. The citadel’s central location serves as a focal point for locals and tourists.
The history of the Aleppo Citadel is as ancient as the city itself.Sayf al-Dawla (944-967), the first Hamdanid ruler of Aleppo, built the fortress and utilized the citadel as a military center of power in his region, and, the citadel evolved under different rulers.The origins of the Aleppo Citadel date back to the 3rd millennium BC, with successive civilizations, including the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans, and Islamic caliphates, leaving their mark on its structure and fortifications.The citadel experienced its golden age during the Ayyubid era in the 12th and 13th centuries when renovations transformed it into a fortified palace. Over the centuries, various attacks targeted the citadel, but it has always risen from the ashes, remaining a symbol of Aleppo’s resilience.From housing royal courts to enduring sieges, the citadel’s history is an intriguing narrative of power, resilience, and survival.Tourists are drawn to its grand entrance, admire the impressive throne hall, and explore the ancient water cisterns.Festivals, guided tours, and cultural events held in and around the citadel further enhance its appeal.
The citadel captivates visitors with its architectural brilliance and historical significance. It is not just a stone structure but a living story of civilizations that shaped the region.Its massive walls, intricate gates, and defensive towers reflect the engineering expertise of the medieval Islamic world.As you step through the imposing gates of the citadel, you’re transported back in time.The entrance gateway, adorned with carvings and inscriptions, leads visitors through a zigzag path designed to thwart attackers.Seven large arches support the bridge that leads up to the Citadel over the moat. The defense gate with two towers punctuates the bottom, while the top of the ramped bridge features the Gate of Serpents and the Gate of the Two Lions.A complex defense mode was developed in the sequence of movement into the Citadel, forcing perpetrators to penetrate 3 iron doors and change direction 6 times through a series of 90-degree abrupt turns while subjecting them to hot liquids poured through the slit openings on the upper floors. These defense strategies made the Citadel of Aleppo one of the hardest forts to conquer in the region.Within the fortress, visitors will discover grand halls, mosques, and underground passages that reveal the ingenuity of its builders. One of the most remarkable features is the Throne Hall, a splendid chamber adorned with elaborate stonework. The design of the citadel not only emphasized defense but also showcased the artistic and cultural achievements of the era.
Once a bustling tourist attraction, it transformed into a battleground, suffering significant damage.Like much of Aleppo, the citadel suffered significant damage during the conflict in recent years.However, thanks to ongoing restoration efforts, this iconic landmark is slowly regaining its former glory.Architects are working tirelessly to repair the damage, ensuring the citadel can once again shine as a symbol of Aleppo’s resilience.Restoring the citadel goes beyond being a technical endeavor; it serves as a healing process for the people of Aleppo, allowing them to reclaim their history and pride.As Syria rebuilds, the citadel provides hope for a brighter future.Crews reopened it to the public in early 2018 CE, with repairs underway for damaged parts, although some of the damage will remain intentionally preserved as part of the citadel’s history. If you are interested, you may read about how the Aleppo Citadel is open again!
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Josh 2024-06-23 Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria 2024-06-23 An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer 2024-05-31 Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas 2024-05-31 I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi 2024-05-21 I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara 2024-05-20 Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao 2024-05-20 Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba 2024-05-19 Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato 2024-05-18 Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon 2024-05-18 Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
