Ministry of Culture reopens Aleppo Citadel to visitors after restoration of earthquake-affected parts 

Aleppo Citadel was reopened to visitors on Saturday after the first and second phases of the restoration, reinforcement and rehabilitation works in the southern tower of the citadel’s entrance were completed. The area was significantly affected by the earthquake that hit parts of Syria in February, 2023, and by the subsequent aftershocks, the Ministry of Culture said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry added that after it was alerted to the danger of cracks and fissures that appeared in the structure of the entrance following the earthquakes, visits to the castle were suspended as a precaution against any serious repercussions on the citadel and visitors.

It noted that detailed tests conducted by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, in cooperation with a mission from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that visited Aleppo, revealed a movement in the entrance that concentrated in the supporting pillars of the bridge leading to the southern tower.

The ministry pointed out that under the request of the community and due to the presence of a large number of visitors and tourists in the city of Aleppo, the Citadel was reopened to visitors and its lovers. It assured the public that the citadel has reopened to visitors following the necessary restoration work, noting that rehabilitation of the remaining parts of the citadel will begin soon.

In a statement to SANA, Director of Antiquities and Museums in Aleppo Sakher Olabi explained that the damage caused to the citadel due to the earthquake involved the entrance and several other parts. He pointed out that the Directorate and the Syria Trust for Development cooperated in implementing the restoration works with the help of national expertise to reopen this historic citadel after assuring about the public safety.

Hamda Mustafa