Aleppo

About Aleppo

Aleppo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a crossroads of caravan routes between the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia and Anatolia for thousands of years. Its old city, crowned by a massive citadel and threaded with covered souqs, caravanserais, mosques and churches, was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986.

The war that began in 2011 and the earthquake of February 2023 caused grave damage, especially in the historic centre, where the Great Mosque's medieval minaret fell and long stretches of the souq burned. Restoration has since brought parts of the market, khans and monuments back to life, and the citadel still dominates the skyline.

Aleppines are famously proud of their cooking, from kebabs with sour cherries to muhammara, the red pepper and walnut dip, and the city's olive and laurel soap has been made here for centuries. Anyone planning a visit should check current government travel advice and arrange local guidance, as conditions continue to change.