Aleppo Citadel gate Glimpses of the World

Aleppo Syria Citadel: Things to Know

*I was fortunate enough to travel to Syria and see the country in 2008, three years before the war broke out. This homage to Syria is a reminder, the story about the country with immense cultural heritage, posted here with the wholehearted wish for peace to be restored and cities rebuilt.

Aleppo Syria Citadel is the post about one of the best-known landmarks of this ancient city.

It is situated in the northern part of Syria, and besides Damascus, it is one of the oldest settlements in the world. Before the war, it was a town full of tradition and monuments that exuded history. Aleppo was the capital of the mighty Yamkhad kingdom until 1780 BC when it fell under Hittites’ control. And it continued to be a target for invaders throughout history.

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A view from the Aleppo Syria Citadel

Aleppo was called Beroia in the 4th century BC. This is when the first city plan was created. It could still be recognized east of the Antioch Gate when I visited before the war. This town was extremely important for the Greeks and Romans, followed by the Arab and Muslim invaders in the upcoming centuries. Aleppo developed into a huge trading center where pilgrims on the way to Mecca stopped for a break.

It is deservedly referred to as – the Gate of Asia.

Aleppo Syria Citadel
The main entrance to the fort

Aleppo Syria Citadel

When the town flourished in the 10th century AD, the original plan of the famous Aleppo Syria Citadel was designed.

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Passing through into the courtyard

This was the structure Aleppo was known for worldwide. The fortress was described as the most spectacular medieval structure in the Middle East and was still proudly standing before the last war, defying the ravages of time.

The Citadel is located on a 55-meter hill, dominating the area, and imposing in size. Because of its specific position, it was considered a threat to town authorities since it had its own government, and yet, it was still in the center of the town. Hence, it was under constant supervision. At one point, the fortress even had a governor who answered to the authorities of the city.

Aleppo Citadel arches Glimpses of the World
ALEPPO SYRIA CITADEL: A deep trench

There were numerous traces of religious and civil monuments at the Citadel which were vastly destroyed by the earthquake in 1822. But the remains of the old public bathroom from the 11th century could still be found before the war, along with traces of the Grand Mosque founded by the Umayyads, and the Royal Palace.

Aleppo Syria Citadel: Fortress for 10,000 people

The first thing that struck me when approaching the fortress was the deep trench that surrounded it, separating it from the rest of the city.

Aleppo Citadel history
Ancient steps inside the fortress

There was the long medieval bridge which was once the only way to get into the fort, followed by the huge iron gates.

The trench was dug out during the Ayyubid’s rule and, even though the town got seriously damaged by the Mongols in 1260, it soon rose again. The fortress could receive about 10,000 people and it was fully supplied with all the things inhabitants might need.

Aleppo Syria Citadel Glimpses of the World
Where the Great Mosque once stood

The construction that was visible before the war in Aleppo appeared at the beginning of the 13th century and was built onto the ruins of the early Byzantine fort.

Unconquerable Walls of the Aleppo Syria Citadel

Invaders were supposed to go through the lateral gate where no tools could be used for breaking down the door because of its position, to reach the premises of the fort’s governor.

Aleppo Citadel history
ALEPPO SYRIA CITADEL: A passage to the tower

If by any chance they succeeded in going through the gate on the bridge and trying to break in, boiling oil and stones were thrown at them from the fort’s walls. Even if they were to overcome this obstacle, they were still supposed to follow the narrow corridor one by one where they would come across men with sabers.

Besides these rich and unconquerable premises, the fortress has housed bathrooms, a mosque, markets, etc.

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Tower of the Citadel

Once I found myself here, I tried to imagine what the town was like back then – on the hill, heavily fortified, completely safe, and fully supplied.

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Great view of the city before the war

I touched the walls and could feel I was standing on the very spot where the capital of the mighty kingdom stood 4,000 years ago.

When I climbed up to the Aleppo Syria Citadel, I took a walk around the fort and gazed at the town below. That is when I felt the power of the place being aware of the strategic importance of the fort’s position, since down there – there was the entire town like in the palm of your hand.

Next: ALEPPO BEFORE THE WAR

The full Homage to Syria SERIES

Walls of the Aleppo Citadel

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Aleppo Citadel gate Glimpses of the World

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52 responses

  1. A beautiful place with so much history. I don’t even know what to say about the war, everything I think of seems trite or not serious enough. It’s just awful that a beautiful place and people have been destroyed.

    1. That was the genuine idea, to remember the country’s heritage and history, since we only know it now in regards to war, politics and terrorism. But Syria is so much more than that.

  2. It is heartbreaking to see what the people of Syria are having to live through, awful and terrifying. I had hoped to visit, we did a wonderful trip to Lebanon several years ago and my plan was to visit Syria next but I left it too late and must now hope that they can come through this horrific time. Of course, when they do it will be after such immense loss, of people, of their cultural heritage, of their infrastructure. I’m just so angry and sad for Syria.

  3. This absolutely breaks my heart, such a beautiful country that will never be the same – no matter what happens now. Posts like these are so important <3

    1. That was such a specific experience, standing up there at the viewpoint of the Citadel. You can just feel the history! If that’s possible. 😀

  4. This place really is a spectacular medieval town. It’s really sad people succeed in destroying these ancient structures and ruïning so many lives… Loved reading this post!

    1. Not sure if the Citadel is seriously damaged or not, I only know that Aleppo is constantly under the immense fire. Hopefully it still stands, it has already endured so much! Thank you, Inge. 🙂

  5. Great post about Aleppo. The history and heritage of the place are something we should preserve. But what is happening nowadays is totally opposite to this. Let’s hope that peace is restored in Aleppo and once trade and tourism flourish in this region.

  6. Thanks for sharing this. I always wanted to visit Syria and it makes me incredibly sad that all this is almost gone now and that I didn’t get the chance to travel before the war. Hoping that the situation is resolved as soon as possible and that this beautiful country and its people can recover their daily lives and heritage

  7. Very beautiful post about such a beautiful country. Thank you for taking us there with your photography and words.

  8. Great insight to Syria. I just wish the war ends so I can get out there to check it out. Great photos, I am missing so muchj 🙁

  9. What a lovely city it used to be; this was a really interesting article. It will never be the same again which is heartbreaking for its people. The situation there is terrible and I hope it will be peaceful again soon.

  10. It’s such a shame about what has happened to Aleppo and Syria. That is amazing that you were able to see it before it became war torn to see the rich history. Hopefully the region returns to a peaceful state in the future.

    1. To tell you the truth, I often think about that journey, since Syria is all over the news for six years now. And always feel so grateful and fortunate for seeing it. Thanks, guys.

  11. I’ve recently been reading a book about a French monk spending time in Syria, and when he left it, people kept asking abou it, is it beautiful. And he always said yes. It’s a shame this land will be off-limits for ages.

  12. The place has a great history and cultural heritage. It’s a great disappointment that war has done to Syria. I don’t understand why can’t we have a peaceful world!

  13. This is a very timely reminder that Syrians were once the same as the rest of us – living in a country rich with history and its achievements. Of course, teir personal losses must overshadow everything else, but this is a timely reminder of just how abnormal war really should be.

  14. Thank you for this lovely post on Syria. I really enjoyed learning more about the history, the beauty and how special a place it was/is. So sad events have gone the way they have.

  15. So devastating what war does to a country. I suppose there is not much of these historical landmarks left now after all the bombing & destruction. I hope that one day soon war will be over and that the people of Syria can rebuild what is left of their lives

    1. That’s the most important thing – to end the war. I do believe that Syrians would be able to take it from there, one step at the time. So many horrifying years they’ve had, such a shame..

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