Aleppo

Aleppo & Citadel Markets baths & Khans Umayyad Mosque Churches Saint Simon Citadel

Arab baths

Arab baths : are distinguished by their construction and decoration. The Arab bath is divided into three parts. The exterior part is «al-Barani» which has a dome and a pool in the middle, with places for customers to change clothes, called «Masateb,» where people sit, banquet, and smoke hubble-bubble. The middle part is called «al-Wastani,» which contains some private chambers and which is covered by domes and roof holes. The interior part is called «al-Jwani» which contains the fire chamber and the water well. Its floor is heated by vapours.
Bathrooms were built in Aleppo hundreds of centuries ago. In the beginning of the twentieth century, there were 40 baths which were built or rebuilt in the Maluk era and Ottoman era. The number of baths increased with time, and they were spread inside an outside the city wall. Baths used to be built near other facilities, such as markets and café shops. Aleppo had not known circulating water till 1925. In 1970, many baths were closed or destroyed to make streets.

Hamam al-Nahaseen : dates back to the 12th century. It belonged to the Khusrawi School. It is distinguished by its dome and its architectural style.

Hamam Yalbugha al-Nasri : named after the name of Yalbugha al-Nasri who built it. The bath had three underground tunnels which lead to the citadel and the city. Its facade is made of black and yellow stones. Its entrance is high. It has been recently renovated, and it is now open for the public. A sauna was attached to it.

Aleppo's Khans

Khan Alwazeer : Khan Alwazeer is named after the governor who built it and later became a minister. It is located in the northeast of the city, and it is one of the biggest caravansaries in the city, dating back to the 17th century. Its market is known for its remarkable decorations and architectural elements. After the opening of Khan al-Wazeer Street, most of its northern part was removed, and the new buildings blocked its view on the citadel.

Khan al-Olabia : Its entrance is in the north side, at the point where Suk al-Joukh and the Bath meet Suk Marcopoli. In its northern part, there were the Italian Consulate and the house of the Italian family Marcopoli who had commercial relations with the tradesmen of Aleppo. It is known for its terrace which is constructed in the Italian style.

Kahn al-Saboun : Kahn al-Saboun is one of the most beautiful remnants of the Mamluk style. It is ornamented with geometrical inscriptions and Arabic calligraphy. It was built in the 16th century, next to Suk al-Saboun.

Khan al-Nahaseen : Khan al-Nahaseen is in the western side of Suk al-Nahaseen, and it is opposite Hamam al-Nahassen. The Belgian Consulate was in it, and the Consul’s house still has its old shape although it was rebuilt. This Khan is far from the noise of the market, and it is full of antiques, oil paintings, copper works, and decorated handiworks. It contains a library which is rich with history books and medicine books.

Khan Al-Jumruk : is one of the biggest khans in Aleppo. It is located in Swaqet Ali. It contains four large stores which belonged to the English Consul and the East India Company. It also has a stable, and there was a mosque in its centre. This khan is distinguished for its construction and the pillars of its interior windows.

Khan Al-Hareer : is one of the most important khans in Aleppo. It contains many shops and commercial establishments. It trades silk, textile, and many other kinds of cloths manufactured in Aleppo which is known for textile manufacture and which has some of the most important and famous factories in the region. Khan Al-Hareer is known for its shops and historical buildings. There is a lobby for the tradesmen who come to make deals to purchase cloth, silk, and textile.