Aleppo

Having previously posted my memories of Palmyra, which has since been destroyed, I wish to do the same for Aleppo, a city I knew it all its glory, which is unfortunately succumbing to the same fate, progressively crumbling and collapsing before our eyes under the weight of civil war and bombs.

The Souk of Aleppo was the most beautiful in all the world, and the oldest. Friendly and energetic merchants filled over 10 miles of 14th century vaulted ceilings.

 

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Somehow, despite the constant comings and goings of the crowd, a calm, almost serene atmosphere settles over the souk.

 

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A hibiscus upon an old, multicolored marble step of a fountain, one of so many that are found throughout Aleppo.

 

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The patio of an old palace. Many grand families built palaces in the city, these homes stand today as testaments to a lost refinement.

 

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I adore the antique dealers of Aleppo and love hunting through their prodigious collections, discovering hidden treasures and unexpected marvels known only to the dealers themselves.

 

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Winters are cold in Aleppo, so fires are lit, illuminating the streets and warming the passersby and the open air markets.

 

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The domes of mosques, madrassas, and tombs rise from behind almost every wall of Aleppo, each one more magnificent than the next.

 

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The oldest parts of the fortress of Aleppo date to early Antiquity. Various additions, repairs, and modifications were made up to the 19th century. Today it is occupied by troops loyal to the Assad regime, who are besieged by the rebels.

 

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The Nur ed Din mosque is perfect in its simplicity and small scale; it is the manifestation of serenity and spirituality. The mosque was constructed by the remarkable Medieval hero and remains an inspiring site.


by  Prince Michael of Greece