The Old Souks in Aleppo PDF

The Old Souks in Aleppo Built by Al-Malik az-Zaher, Saladin's son, whose tomb is located at the entrance of the souk opposite Aleppo Citadel, the Aleppo souk is covered by stone archways and vaulted arches for about 30km. This makes it the longest covered souk in the Middle East. A complicated laby...

The Old Souks in Aleppo Built by Al-Malik az-Zaher, Saladin's son, whose tomb is located at the entrance of the souk opposite Aleppo Citadel, the Aleppo souk is covered by stone archways and vaulted arches for about 30km. This makes it the longest covered souk in the Middle East. A complicated labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets forms this magnificent Bazaar. All the various souks are named after the various crafts: hence, we find the souk of gold, copper, cotton, cloth, yarns, women's clothes, spice, artisan goods, foods, leather, wooden articles, perfumes, ropes, threads, etc. As in medieval times, every type of merchandise has its place. Most of these souqs date back to the 15th century and they are lighted up by shafts of light hanging from the high vaulted roofs. They are living museum, which depict medieval life. Near Khan al-Sabon is one of these famous souks which is the gold souk where gold and silver are converted into exquisite jewellery. It's a place of tiny shops, brightly lit and sparkled with golden bangles, necklaces and earrings. Also nearby is the carpet and rug souk. Then comes Souk al-Attarin where one can be intoxicated by the fragrance of freshly roasted coffee, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, allspice, aniseed, coriander, nutmeg, peppercorn, cardamom, musk, dried henna and other spices. the world renowned Aleppo pistachios can be purchased here as well as a vast array of pignolias, almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, filberts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. From souk to souk, the world of exhibited wares changes. In one section are stalls piled high with balls of strings and thread, sparkling with all the colours of the rainbow. Next door, handmade brushes and brooms hang from walls like large tree-leaves, and baskets, in all shapes and sizes, are attached to ceilings like colourfully painted lamp shades. Beyond, bales of fabrics displayed in dome-like stalls are an open invitation to all shoppers. Dotted among the shops and, in places, edging each other, leather craftsmen, rope-makers and metal workers ply their trades. Some transform great sheets of brass, copper or iron into pans, pots and endless other products. For tourists, the handiwork of these craftsmen, the art of which has been, for hundreds of years, handed down from father to son, is a world of oriental splendour. One should also visit the winter-like wonderland of raw cotton and combed wool, piled in bales of dazzling white. The young men beating the wool with long thin whips appeared to produce falls of fluffy snow in the cobbled souks. In sharp contrast to this activity, were the men carrying sheep carcasses on their shoulders through the odour of the meat stalls. They use their agile hands for stripping the meat from heads of sheep. This is what is called the meat souq.