Aleppo's historic markets reopen, bringing life and hope back to the city

Hammering and lining up stones, restoration teams were working in Aleppo’s old markets to transform ancient crumbled shops and alleyways into a vibrant hub once again. 

More than half of the old markets have already been rehabilitated through joint work led by the Aga Khan Development Network, UNESCO, the Syrian Development Organization and the Ministry of Culture, said Mohamed Yasser Mawlawi, director of the first administrative bloc in Aleppo governorate that includes Old Aleppo

The market comprises a network of vaulted stone alleyways and carved wooden facades and was once a major tourist attraction and a busy cosmopolitan trading hub on the ancient Silk Road from China.

Its many narrow alleys have a combined length of 13 km (8 miles), selling everything from soap to jewellery to clothing.

Before Syria's ruinous civil war struck, Aleppo was a busy commercial powerhouse and a proud historic centre - its long heritage on display in ancient landmarks still used by modern-day traders, travellers or worshippers.

The war that erupted across Syria in 2011 exploded into Aleppo in the summer of 2012, when rebel fighters took over the east of the city.

The rebels hoped their march into Aleppo marked the beginning of the end for then-President Bashar al-Assad, while the government in Damascus pledged to swiftly drive them out.

Neither side achieved those goals, and the war in Aleppo dragged on for more than four years. As the fighting ground on, the city itself crumbled under air strikes from government forces and bombardment by both sides.

Sections of the medieval souq, or market, were ruined or burnt down.

Gradual efforts started to revive the city following its capture by Assad forces in December 2016.

Aleppo's Old City is one of several locations in Syria declared world heritage sites by UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency.

Camera: Mahmoud Hassano; Editing, Production and Writing: Kinda Makieh/Reuters