Professional reconstruction of Al-Sroujieh historical Souk to preserve its heritage features

Souk Al-Sroujieh is one of the oldest and the most important markets in Damascus. It was the only market of the old city of Damascus, which was built outside the wall near Al-Hamidiyeh market in the center of Damascus and close to the walls of its castle. It still preserves its Mamluk architectural style without any modifications in terms of the arches above the shops, the high windows and semicircular balconies. The roof of the market was made of zinc, which protected merchants and customers from the summer heat and from the winter cold and rain. The market enjoys  architectural harmony that draws the visitor and indicates to the ancient heritage of the city of Damascus and the role of its people and industrialists  in construction and development.

The market was in bad condition due to negligence and to climate conditions. So, the governorate is cooperating with the shop owners and the General Company for Building and Reconstruction to reconstruct this market.

The reconstruction and beautification work of the historical Souk of Al-Sroujieh, which is built with great professionalism to preserve its heritage features and architectural style, reached advanced stages.

The works included removing the worn roof and the old arches from  over the entire market and replacing them with new arches made of (wood and iron). The work will also include uncovering the stone arches above the shops and  cleaning them in addition to installing a unified traditional wooden facades for all shops instead of the  iron shop fronts.

The director of technical studies in Damascus Governorate, engineer Muammar Dakkak  noted that the market will be re-paved and provided with the infrastructure of water, electricity, telephone and sewage, and  the sidewalks will be reconstructed.

A number of shopkeepers underlined the importance of restoration work in preserving the market and the heritage industries which it was famous in such as  horse supplies and leather products.

Inas Abdulkareem