Syria

Aleppo

Among the Northern plains you will find the city of Aleppo (Halab), situated in a bowl in the landscape. Gertrude Bell, an English woman, likened it to a saucer with an upturned cup, being the Citadel. This is where Abraham (P) milked his cow.

The city itself is a central 'old city', a long maze of narrow streets around the magnificent Aleppo Citadel. As you go further away from the Citadel, buildings and roads become more modern until you reach the boundaries of New Aleppo.

Aleppo, Syria's city of the North, is situated only 1 hour away from the Turkish border. The city of Antioch in the province of Iskanderoun used to be Aleppo's gateway to the Mediterranean. 

From Aleppo there are direct routes to the East of Syria (Al Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, Al Hasakeh) and the Iraqi border at Bukamal. There are also direct routes to Turkey, Latakia, Damascus and Palmyra (both via Homs).

Aleppo is now Syria's second biggest city. It has had a major role in the development of Syria's trade especially in the early nineties. It remains a popular city for tourists who like to visit the Citadel and the Middle East's longest covered souk. It is also famous for its architecture and intricate stonework.