Ancient Aleppo

Ancient Aleppo
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ancient Aleppo
LocationAleppo, Syria Syria
IncludesCitadel of Aleppo, Al-Madina Souq
CriteriaCultural: (iii), (iv)
Reference21
Inscription1986 (10th Session)
Endangered2013–2020
Area364 ha (1.41 sq mi)
Coordinates36°12′09″N 37°09′46″E / 36.20250°N 37.16278°E / 36.20250; 37.16278
Ancient Aleppo is located in Syria
Ancient Aleppo
Location of Ancient Aleppo in Syria
Ancient Aleppo is located in West and Central Asia
Ancient Aleppo
Ancient Aleppo (West and Central Asia)

The Ancient City of Aleppo (Arabic: مدينة حلب القديمة, romanizedMadīnat Ḥalab al-Qadīma) is the historic city centre of Aleppo, Syria. Prior to the Syrian Civil War, many districts of the ancient city remained essentially unchanged since they were initially constructed between the 11th and 16th centuries. Being subjected to constant invasions and political instability, the inhabitants of the city were forced to build economically independent cell-like quarters and districts, most of which were delineated along ethnic and religious lines. These urban subdistricts, along with the ancient walled city that they surround, comprise an approximate area of 350 hectares (860 acres; 3.5 km2) and are home to more than 120,000 residents.[1]

Characterized by its large mansions, narrow alleys, covered souqs and ancient caravanserais, the Ancient City of Aleppo became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.[2]

An estimated 30% of the Ancient City of Aleppo was destroyed in the Battle of Aleppo during the Syrian civil war,[3] including many sections of the Al-Madina Souq and other structures dating back to medieval times.

  1. ^ bleeker. "Alepposeife: Aleppo history". Historische-aleppo-seife.de. Archived from the original on 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  2. ^ "eAleppo:Aleppo city major plans throughout the history" (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  3. ^ "UNESCO: 30 percent of Aleppo's ancient city destroyed". U.S. News & World Report. 2017-01-20. Archived from the original on 2022-12-11.