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ALEPPO (Halab, Beroea) |
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City Guide:
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Once a stopping point for caravans, this
ancient city (pop. 1,857,000) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited
places in the world. Local citizens claim it is the oldest, and while that
may be debatable, it was first written about nearly 5,000 years ago (when it
was called Halab). A treasure chest for the modern tourist, Aleppo's Take a day trip to Qal`at Saman (40 MI/65 km northwest) to see the monastery of Simeon Stylites, which used to contain the 50-ft/15-m pillar of St. Simeon (he lived and preached for 30 years atop the column). Today, only the basilica and scenic views remain; pilgrims, in their quest for souvenirs, have chipped the pillar down to a small rock. The town of Idlib (37 MI/59 km) has a museum with relics from Tell Mardikh (ancient Ebla). Ebla became famous after a 1975 archaeological dig turned up thousands of cuneiform tablets (clay documents) and other artifacts. (As a result of these finds, a whole new chapter in the history of civilization has been opened.) Other remains from Ebla are in the Aleppo Museum. Plan at least two nights in Aleppo, three if taking a day trip. 195 MI/314 km north of Damascus.
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attractions
include splendid bazaars and suqs (markets, pronounced souks), the Aleppo
Museum (fascinating Ugarit and Mari displays), the Gate of Antioch, the
Bahramiye Mosque, the Jami Zakariyeh (Grand) Mosque, the Bab Qinnesrin gate
and the 13th-century citadel (good view from its hilltop site). Also visit
the ancient caravansaries (hotels in the covered mosque).
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