Restoration and rehabilitation works begin in Khan Al-Harir market in Old Aleppo

Aleppo, ST– The Aleppo City Council, in cooperation with the Aga Khan Foundation for Cultural Services, started the work of restoring and rehabilitating Khan Al-Harir market in the old city of Aleppo, which includes more than 60 shops and three stores that were designated for the trade of fabrics, sweets, and nuts.

Eng. Hussam Halabi, from the Implementation Department of the Old City of Aleppo, told SANA that Khan Al-Harir market is one of the most important markets of the old city and it forms the main entrance towards the Foustoq Square and Soukatia market. He added that Khan Al-Harir restoration works are currently being done under the supervision of the City Council and the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.

Halabi pointed out that the rehabilitation works take place through two phases in the northern part and include constructional restoration work for the shops according to the traditional Aleppo system of architecture and building. The second phase is in the southern part which includes Khan al-banadeqa. Al-Halabi said that the duration of the restoration works is about 160 days pointing out that the rehabilitation of the market contributes greatly to the return of commercial activities to the rest of the markets.

A number of shop owners expressed their happiness with the restoration of the market, where Yasser Dabbaghia, the owner of a textile store, explained that the work of restoration of the market is ongoing and serious. He also pointed out that the return of the market to work contributes to encourage merchants to return to their shops and markets in the old city.

M.Wassouf