In Beit Wakil, a large traditional residence in the old city of Aleppo, the traces of the war are gradually fading. In the interior courtyards, the stucco sculptures are waiting to find their place above the windows. From the roof we can see what remains of the Jdeideh district. On the front line during the war, this district on the edge of the old city of Aleppo bore the brunt of the fighting between rebels and Syrian soldiers between 2012 and 2016. Below, in al-Hatab square, children play football among the ruins.
“This house was almost completely destroyed,” says Safwad Sheikh al-Ishra, 41, a craftsman specializing in ancient stone. He works here with his brother, Anas, 30 years old. Both are participating in the restoration project. “We work here because it is our heritage. This makes us proud. Rebuilding means breathing new life into our city, allowing its inhabitants to return.” assures the first. According to him, bringing these historic places to life also brings tourists back, which is essential to revive the local economy.
Rediscover the breath of the souks
In the old town of Aleppo, the landscapes alternate between renovated buildings and gutted facades. Under the restored arches of the historic souks, as Eid approaches, the alleys regain a familiar hustle and bustle. Clothes overflow from the stalls, the smells of spices and soap fill the air, buyers try to make their way through the crowd, stopping according to the sellers’ demands.
However, a few meters further on, the traces of the war remain. The vaulted ceilings have disappeared, the stones which constituted them now litter the ground. According to UNESCO, which placed the ancient city of Aleppo on the list
