ALEPPO, Syria, March 20 (Reuters) – Aleppo, Syria’s second city and one of the oldest inhabited in the world, is enjoying a renaissance that is restoring the ancient trading hub whose magnificent buildings rivalled Istanbul’s in Ottoman times.
Architectural gems — bathhouses, madrassa schools, palaces, churches and mosques — stud Aleppo’s streets, making it one of the richest historical sites in the Middle East.
Calls to prayer ring out from the recently restored Grand Mosque just as they did in the 8th century.
Labyrinthine covered souks that trace their history back four millennia sell spices, the city’s trademark laurel soap and the antique textiles that were coveted in Europe.
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The infrastructure is being rebuilt, around 60 percent of the sewage and water system has been overhauled and telephone and electricity services in some areas are now up to date.
German experts are overseeing restoration of the 19th century Shibanie Catholic convent and projects to restore the medieval castle are almost complete.
Foreign funding is coming from Germany, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in London, and the Arab Social and Economic Fund. Syria’s government has also taken up the cause of preservation.
“The major achievement of years of fighting and toiling is the fact that the conversion and preservation of old Aleppo has become routine work for the local government. There has been a 180-degree turn,” the American-educated engineer said.
Ismailimail 