Visit Aleppo, Syria

Aleppo's historic position as a trading crossroads has given the it a cosmopolitan air, from the ancient churches of the Christian quarter to the imposing edifice of the Arab citadel that dominates the city.

Citadel Sunset, Aleppo

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Aleppine history is credibly testified as going back to the third millennium BC and it has always been an important centre for trade. Merchants from across the region have, over the centuries, built up some of the most enjoyable and exotic souqs in the Middle East.

Stretching for over ten miles, they are clustered around old khans and caravanserais, where merchants dealing in similar goods could find accommodation and space to sell their wares.

Exploring Aleppo

This historic position as a trading crossroads has given the city a cosmopolitan air, from the ancient churches of the Christian quarter to the imposing edifice of the Arab citadel that dominates the city.

From the minaret of the Citadel Mosque, the entire city is spread out below you. Standing clear of the rooftops, the Grand, or Umayyad, Mosque is as prominent as the mosque of the same name in Damascus; built by the same man, it is equally impressive.

A 47 metre high minaret watches over worshippers as they go about their prayers, or cluster in the courtyard to catch up with one another.

Aleppo's National Museum

For those who have visited or who are going to visit sites such as Ugarit and Mari, a few hours at the National Museum in Aleppo is highly recommended as many of the finds from these places can be viewed here.

San Simeon

A Christian holy man of the 5th century AD, Simeon had tried all manner of mortification to get closer to God, including spiked girdles and burial whilst alive. To escape a rapidlygrowing band of admirers he elected to live atop a series of progressively taller columns.

His fame continued to grow, and upon his death an undignified struggle broke out for his relics. Today the remains of the enormous Byzantine church complex that grew to service his pilgrims surround the stump of his final, 18 metre-high column.