Aleppo: A Cultural and Historical Gem
Aleppo is an ancient city that stands out in numerous aspects, showcasing a unique Eastern charm steeped in history. Its beauty, artistry, and distinctive character have been widely celebrated through ages. In this article, we will explore six intriguing facts about Aleppo that you may not know:
6 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Aleppo
- Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and serves as the capital of Aleppo Governorate. It is located in the northwestern part of the country, approximately 310 kilometers from Damascus. According to 2009 statistics, Aleppo was considered the most populous governorate in Syria, with a population reaching 5,680,000, accounting for roughly 24% of Syria’s total population that year.
- The city of Aleppo has long been a popular destination for tourists year-round, requiring visitors several days to explore its archaeological sites. It is recognized as a historical treasure, featuring a multitude of ancient souks, historic khans, remarkable mosques, the Aleppo Citadel, ancient churches, historic bridges over the Afrin River, and schools that date back to various historical periods.
- Aleppo is renowned as Syria’s principal industrial center in addition to being significant in trade and agriculture. Historically, it was well-known for its traditional crafts that were exported globally, along with modern industries such as the production of electrical appliances and agricultural machinery. Aleppo’s agricultural diversity is exemplified by its famed Aleppo pistachios, so closely associated with the city that whenever Aleppo is mentioned, so too is its pistachio. A few years ago, the number of Aleppo pistachio trees reached nearly four million, positioning Syria as the fourth-largest producer of pistachios worldwide, following Iran, the United States, and Turkey, as of 2013.
- Aleppo is often regarded as the capital of authentic music and arts. Its unique musical style includes famous traditional melodies and Sufi music, as well as the dance known as “Sama.” The first music school was established here by the philosopher Al-Farabi, making Aleppo a confluence for various art forms and a sought-after destination for musicians from all around. It was considered, after Granada, the leading hub for Arabic “Muwashahat” genre as well.
- The illustrious Aleppian cuisine has earned global acclaim, culminating in a culinary award received in Paris in 2007. Aleppians are celebrated for their exceptional culinary skills, having crafted 90 distinct varieties of kebab and numerous types of stuffed dishes. This has given rise to the popular saying: “Aleppo is the mother of stuffed dishes and kebabs.”
- Visitors to Aleppo have often noted the unique dialect of its inhabitants. The ancient Aleppian dialect can seem unusual to those unfamiliar with it, characterized by the pronounced emphasis on certain guttural letters—خ، ص، ض، غ، ط، ق، ظ—while the remaining letters are articulated more softly.