Ancient City of Aleppo

Before the conflict:

• Legal framework (Lack of definition of the buffer zone)
• Management System/ Management Plan (Lack of conservation and/or management plans)
• Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system (Inappropriate restoration works)
• Housing (Urban encroachment)

Since 2013:

• Armed conflict (Destruction and damage due to the armed conflict)
• Earthquake (February 2023 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks)
• Management System/ Management Plan (Need for a Reconstruction and Recovery Master Plan)

Destruction as well as ascertained and potential threats consequent to the armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011.

Not yet drafted

Not yet identified

Not yet identified

Total amount provided: USD 195,255 by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund 

Total amount provided to the six Syrian World Heritage properties: 200,000 euros by the Italian Government; for built, movable and intangible heritage: 2.46 million euros by the European Union, USD 170,000 by the Flemish Government, 63,000 euros by the Austrian Government, USD 200,000 by the German Government; for cultural heritage under conflict: USD 200,000 by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage in Bahrain

On 11 January 2024, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports for the six Syrian World Heritage properties, which are available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/21/documents/, and include updated information on progress and challenges in a number of conservation issues at the property, as follows:

• The committee for the protection of the property, which is one of the committees chaired by the Governor, held inclusive workshops to foster the revival of the city, targeting the zones of high economic interest such as the suqs. It also completed the infrastructure plan that was subsequently approved by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, and the rehabilitation of Madrasa Saif al-Dawla to be reused as a community centre, named ‘Ancient City Manara’ (Lighthouse), with the aim of providing legal and administrative support to residents (licenses, consultation, loans, etc.), displaying research and documentation material, as well as fostering and hosting cultural events;
• Suqs of al-Hadadin, al-Hibal, and al-Saqatiyya (eastern section) are rehabilitated, while work is on-going in suqs of al-Khaish, al-Attarin and al-Mahmas. More than 300 lighting devices were installed. Many shops reopened thanks to micro finance loans. Stakeholders include the Syria Trust for Development (STD), the Aga Khan Cultural Services - Syria (AKTC) and several international NGOs;
• Documentation, emergency consolidation and restoration work are progressing at Bayt Ghazaleh, Sahat al-Hatab, and al-Rushdi al-Askari school of military education which is foreseen to become a four-star hotel;
• Restoration work is progressing at the Great Mosque, including at the northeastern corner (main gate, minaret, eastern prayer room), western and northern peristyles, western outer walls damaged by the earthquake of February 2023, as well as at the southern prayer hall including the wooden decoration;
• Post earthquake recovery work was undertaken at the Citadel’s main gate (restoration of the entrance, defence tower, stair-step bridge), Ayyubid Mosque (documentation, studies and project elaboration) and at Bayt Ajiqbash. Out of 235 religious buildings, 140 (60%) have been damaged by the earthquake. Amongst the ones being restored are the mosques of al-Hadadine, al-Hilaliyya, al-Hamwi, al-Kizwani, al-Kamaliyya, al-Tawashi, Takiyya al-Mawlawiyya and Zawiya al‐ AKTC repaired damages in several restored suqs. UNDP is supporting the removal of 7,000 m³ of rubble and undertook survey and rapid damage assessment of 13,332 buildings.

The information and the numerous images provided in the State Party’s report and its annexes reflect the continuous substantial efforts that are undertaken for the recovery of the property and the revival of economic life of the city. Significant progress has been made with the adoption of the infrastructure plan, the restoration and rehabilitation of additional sections in the suqs - also through financial support provided to shop owners - and the restoration of numerous historical buildings and mosques, including new sections at the Great Mosque. The impacts of the February 2023 earthquake are also being addressed, with a large-scale assessment of damage in the ancient city, the removal of debris, as well as consolidation and restoration works. Some matters previously raised by the Committee, such as whether structures are being stabilised and repaired, or dismantled and re-built, may potentially affect the authenticity and integrity of the property. The Committee may wish to remind the State Party of its obligation to submit information on major projects to the World Heritage Centre, in compliance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. In this regard, major conservation works and new projects such as the proposed adaptation of the al-Rushdi al-Askari school of military education to become a four-star hotel should be subject to Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) prepared in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, which should form part of the documentation submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies before irreversible decisions are made.

The initiative of establishing a new structure, the ‘Ancient City Manara’ Centre, to provide legal and technical support to communities and foster the preservation and promotion of culture and heritage in Aleppo, is welcome as it further reinforces the management system that has progressively been put in place through committees, allowing civil society outreach.

Although significant information is provided on the activities undertaken, at this stage, it is not yet clear how the activities for the recovery of the property are planned in the longer term. Hence, it is recommended to reiterate to the State Party the need to afford priority to a reconstruction and recovery master plan and the elaboration of an updated management plan, to be developed in line with the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

In the framework of its response to the impact of the earthquake, the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut undertook a second mission to the property from 10 to 15 July 2023. The mission aimed to identify seven monuments to be studied for intervention, rehabilitation and/or consolidation purposes. In particular, the mission carried out non-destructive testing on the citadel’s main entrance tower and arch bridge in order to identify any structural disorders and provide recommendations for intervention.

Given the immense challenges of reconstruction and recovery at the property, the international community is to be encouraged to support the implementation of activities for the stabilization and recovery of the property.

Given the numerous actions carried out by the State Party, it is crucial that the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission takes place as soon as possible, in order to carry out a full assessment of the situation of the property. In this context, it would also be important to initiate the elaboration of a set of corrective measures and the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

No information was provided on the creation of a buffer zone reported in 2021. It is recommended that the Committee recall again the need to submit a minor boundary modification to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the Advisory Bodies, should any buffer zone delineation be agreed upon by stakeholders.