Golden River Restaurant - مطعم نهر الذهب - (Aleppo - حلب)

I went with some friends to this restaurant for the first time. It was on the outskirts of Aleppo and I must admit it was a wonderful place to sit and eat. It is obvious how much has been spent on the Arabian and Roman style architecture and decorations.









Just like most of the big restaurants in Syria there is a big swimming pool in the middle of the seating areas. In the daytime when it is hot during the summer the pool is open whilst at night it is closed for the restaurant. The pool really adds to a relaxing experience.

Mogambo area - المكمبو - (Aleppo - حلب)

The Mogambo area is located in the relatively new part of western Aleppo. It is known for its large shopping areas and a recently opened mall conveniently called the New Mall which is located across the main Mogambo roundabout. It is also a popular destination for leisure with a wide range of posh restaurants and cafes located near hotels. There is also an indoor ice rink and 5D cinema. Aleppo residents regularly visit Mogambo for shopping and leisure.
Mogambo properties are large and the residents are evidently wealthy and more liberal than other Aleppians.
The large neighbourhood has been growing fast with many businesses and lush properties springing up.

Some pictures taken in the morning. It is calm due to most people staying indoors to avoid the heat from the summer sun. It may look dead as a result but the chatter coming from the balconies is almost unavoidable and really adds to a nice environment. The area is really bustling at night;


And later on I enjoy an amazing lemon and mint drink at a cafe. Lemon and mint may not sound too appealing to many but this was really good;

Aleppo citadel (summer 2009) - (Aleppo - حلب)

Here is a couple of pictures I took of the citadel last summer. It was in the early morning so there weren't many people around. Inside the citadel however it was full of tourists, mostly from Germany.






Here's some of the coaches that delivered the tourists :)



In the morning and early afternoon the citadel, and many areas around it, will have many tourists whilst the locals tend to come later when the temperatures cool down and the sun sets. Not surprising since tourists go after the sun!

A rainbow in Aleppo central park

As I was taking a walk around Aleppo central park with my cousin we came across this beautiful site. The full rainbow from the sun glaring onto the water droplets produced by the fountains added to the beauty of the park's nature.

Shahbaa Mall - مول الشهباء - (Aleppo - حلب)

Here are some pictures from the newly opened mall in Aleppo. It is a large mall with 4 floors and has it's own hotel. These pictures were taken before the 3rd and 4th floors were open to the public and as you can see the shops were just opening so there isn't many people.

Oum Attuyour - ام الطيور (Lattakia)

Oum Attuyour is a small village located about halfway between the city of Lattakia and the Turkish border. As its beach is littered with pebbles it is quite painful when you run towards the sea. Therefore two large boulders are placed between a stretch where the pebbles have been removed. This beach is not for the tourist but mainly locals and it has been left at its natural state.

Ariha - اريحا (Idlib - ادلب)

Located on the slopes of Arbaeen Mountain, 12 Km from the city of Idlib is the town of Ariha. This town is famous for its delicious cherries and is often used as a summer resort for the northern locals:

Kasab - كسب (Lattakia - الاذفية)

Kasab is a village in the Lattakia province located 65 km north of the city of Lattakia near the Turkish border, located on the Aqra' mountain amongst woods and thickets, 800 m above sea-level. The road leading to it from Lattakia is one of the most beautiful in Syria. It runs through woods and meadows of wild flowers and groves of olive and pine, orchards of apple trees leading to the beautiful forest of Frulloq:


























































Here you can see new buildings being constructed in a picturesque location:




















Behind the white van is a geyser providing a natural source of fresh, cleaned water for the local people. You can see the two people on the right taking away bottles of the water and the people in the white van have stopped by for some as well:




















Tomato plantations in Kasab:

Idlib - ادلب

Situated in the Northwest of Syria is the Governorate of Idlib. This governorate is the link between the coastal region and the inland steppe, as it was the Syrian gateway to Europe and the West through Bab Al Hawa, Door of the Wind.

The historical importance of Idlib is quite important. The area of Idlib holds over 190 man made tells (hills), the most famous of which is at Tell Mardikh, Ebla. The cuneiform tablets found at Ebla prove that this area has been settled since the 3rd millennium BC. Idlib also has an abundance of Dead Cities, some which are well preserved and others that have been forgotten.

The governorate of Idlib is known for its Olive and Olive Oil, its wheat, cotton and fruit, in particular cherries. The main city of the governorate is the city of Idlib, which lies 59 Km from Aleppo at a height of 500 meters above sea level. The city itself is also very ancient as the Roman and Pagan cemeteries indicate. The museum at Idlib is quite interesting and houses many of the artifacts and tablets excavated at Ebla.

Other ruins in the governorate of Idlib include the dead cities of Al Bara and Serjilla, and the church at Qalb Lozeh.

Aleppo the Capital of Islamic Culture

In recognition of the historical, civilizational and cultural status of Aleppo, and in celebration of its historical and civilizational monuments which stand witness to an age-old past of which the roots spread to pre-historical times and stretch through Arab and Islamic eras, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation -ISESCO- has dedicated its Internet website (http://www.isesco.org.ma/index.asp) to celebrate Aleppo as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the year 1427 A.H./2006 A.D. The aim of this initiative is to spread light on the most prominent features of the cultural heritage and the Islamic monuments of this city, boost the awareness of young generations about its importance, provide knowledge about the treasures of its prestigious past, and highlight its civilizational landmarks and cultural legacy.

Through this link, these civilizational landmarks and cultural heritage are brought to the fore by the Islamic Organisation in its drive to participate in reviving the city of Aleppo, preserve its historical landmarks, and document on the internet the most prominent milestones of Islamic civilization in this city. These landmarks still stand proudly today as a testimony to the contribution of Aleppo to the flourishing of Islamic civilization.

This link will remain open in order to be fed with regular updates considering the vastness and diversity of the subject at hand, and be supplied with new data on the civilizational, cultural and Islamic landmarks. This pulpit will serve to inform the whole world about the most important Islamic civilizational landmarks of the city of Aleppo, and endeavour to motivate coming generations into preserving this heritage and transferring it safely into the hands of future generations.

May Allah grant us success.

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri
Director general of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

These landmarks in Aleppo are currently advertising it as being the Capital of Islamic Culture:

This square (Sa'ad Allah square - ساحة سعد الله) in the Aleppo City Centre is the meeting place for people like politicians who visit on behalf of Aleppo's new status as the Capital of Islamic Culture:


















The Leramoon roundabout (دوار ليرامون) on the edge of Aleppo city has signs on its four faces to advertise Aleppo as being the Capital of Islamic Culture: