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Aleppo Syria
Next to Damascus, Aleppo
(Halab) is the second largest city in Syria. Aleppo has a population
comparable to Damascus. Aleppo has a distinct charm and incomparable history, it is
also very modern and has all the plush amenities a traveler is in search for.
Aleppo, has an international airport and is accessible, via train with other cities and
countries. See Maps for locations and distances.
Aleppo claims to be the oldest inhabited settlement on earth.
The earliest mentions of the city are recorded on stone tablets
found at Mari, on the Syrian Euphrates, which date
back to 2000 BC. From this time onwards, Aleppo was the capital
of succession of prosperous city states, governed by the Amorites,
the Hittites, the Assyrians, the
Persians, and after 333 BC, by the Seleucid
dynasty, founded by one of Alexander the Great's
general who named the city Boroia. Other
settlements included the Roman and Byzantine era.
The importance of the city grew after the Arab invasion of Syria, during the seventh
century. During this time the Great Mosque was built by the Umayyad
dynasty, and the city was fortified by the Great Citadel.
The Citadel has a long been the center of the city and a pillar to the city's strength and
longevity. The Citadel is perched on a steep mound and is the most visible city
landmark. During the Middle Ages, the city saw renewed prosperity
for traders as a stopping ground on the Silk Road stretching from the Mediterranean
to China.
Other attractions to the city of Aleppo include, the National Museum, the
Museum of Popular Tradition, its markets (souks), the Great
Mosque which is one of the largest mosques in the world, its Hamams (public
bath houses) and the Baron Hotel. The Baron Hotel has seen the
likes of US President Theodore Roosevelt, Aviator Charles
Lindbergh, Kemal Attaturk (founder of Turkey), Lady
Louis Mountbatten, author Agatha Christie and her archaeologist
husband Sir Max Mallowan. None more famous than T.E.
Lawrence of Arabia, whose rooms are available.
Around Aleppo - Not far from Aleppo are several ruins dating to
late-Roman and Byzantine times, collectively called the Dead Cities.
To the northwest of Aleppo is the most famous Dead City Qalaat Semaan.
It is named after St. Simeon Stylites a monk who in the 5th
century chained himself to a rock and perched himself there for 38 years. He would
preach twice a day and offer advice to people coming from far away. After his death
in 459 AD the largest church at that time was built in his honor.
Other Dead Cities to the northwest of Aleppo include Cyrrhus, Ain
Dara. To the west is Harim, and Qalb Lozeh,
to the southwest is Idleb, Ebla and Maarat
al-Numan which is comprised of Maarat al-Numan, Bara
(al-Kafr), Serjilla, and Ruweiha.
Idleb and Ebla are the better known attraction cities in the area. Idleb boasts an
excellent museum and hotel making a trip there worth while. Not far from here is
Ebla, whose history dates back to 2400 BC. Fifteen thousand clay tablets, showing
the first alphabet and signs of international trade were unearthed in the 1970's opening a
new chapter in the history of civilization.. |
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