The Destruction and Reconstruction of Aleppo’s Citadel

A Historical Analysis

Student report (2024)

Authors

Jowel Asia Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

V. Baptist History, Form & Aesthetics - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
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Published Date

18-04-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The Citadel of Aleppo is one of the oldest and largest castles in the world, and the greatest landmark of Aleppo. Located on top of a hill in the middle of the city, it stands as a symbol of resilience, having faced many challenges during various historical events through the centuries. This thesis analyses the architectural trajectory of Aleppo's Citadel, uncovering its transformation through seismic events, wars, and cultural transformations with the use of primary and secondary sources, such as archival documents, photographs and architectural drawings. Motivated by the Citadel's enduring and recent challenges, this thesis aims to understand the interplay of historical events and architectural development that shaped the Citadel by contextualizing the transformations within their historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts.

The thesis covers different historical periods, starting with the Medieval ages, with each shaping the Citadel in different ways. The Medieval Period mainly shaped the structure of the fortress as it is standing today. Being built as a military fortress during battles against Crusaders and Mongols, the Citadel got constantly destructed and reconstructed because of its strategic importance and the continuous seismic activity. As it came under Ottoman rule, the Citadel transitioned to a complex with residential and commercial functions, which reflect the stability and socio-political shift of the time. As the Empire fell after World War I, the French took control and initiated excavations which were continued by the Syrians after the Independence. In the Modern Era, the Citadel got recognized as a World Heritage Site and became a tourist destination and cultural hub of the city. As reconstruction and preservation projects were on the go, the Citadel witnessed a war that destroyed the country and damaged the monument. Before even being reconstructed, another earthquake hit the region and caused, once again, damage to the fortress.