Syria's Aleppo Citadel Reopens to Travellers After Years of Closure

Aleppo Citadel has officially reopened to visitors. Recognised as one of the world’s oldest and most intact fortresses, the UNESCO World Heritage Site contains evidence of continuous occupation from the Aramaean period through to the Islamic era.

The citadel’s history stretches back to at least the mid-3rd millennium BCE, with successive periods of use by the Aramaeans, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans.

In recent years, the landmark suffered damage during the Syrian civil war, affecting its outer walls, entrance structures, and underground passages. Additional structural damage occurred in February 2023, when a major earthquake struck northern Syria and southern Turkey, severely impacting the entrance and supporting towers.

Public access was suspended following the earthquake pending safety reviews. Restoration work on damaged features — particularly the southern tower at the entrance — has since been carried out in phases, paving the way for the citadel’s reopening.