The Citadel

In the middle of Aleppo, just by the Souk, is this huge 'thing'. The site itself, a natural "mound", has been used since around the 10th century BC- most likely as a holy place. The first fort construction happened somewhere in the 4th century BC and was an important Muslim fort during the Crusades(AD 12th Century). Throughout the ages it has been built up and re-fortified many times. It still holds a lot of the power it had in the past.
Pictures can only do so much justice but I'll try and convey the image of this place.

This is the keep- the entrance of the Citadel. Sure, its daunting enough....











....but you have to cross the big moat first. Notice the busy street to the right- the citadel is just off of the giant souk(shopping place) that is just frickin' crazy.






This Citadel is pretty damn big. It was a whole separate city- able to withstand an attack, so it has the works: housing, bathing areas(hammams), mosque, and all else it takes to have a small city.

I can't tell if this is the throne room or the inside of the mosque. I think its the mosque- anyway, its very nice.









Kind of peaceful from up here- overlooking the hub of Aleppo.