The Characteristics of Traditional Houses of Aleppo

Abstract

Aleppo, as one of the oldest urban settlements, is the commercial, economic and industrial capital of Syria, the neighbor of Turkey on its southern border. The city, where important trade routes meet, is located in the north of the country. Aleppo has been a trade center between east and west throughout its history. Aleppo, which has preserved its character since the Stone Age, has been a center of attraction for communities even in the Middle Bronze Age. Geographical location, religious attractiveness, social structure, and climatic conditions were the main factors that enabled Aleppo to survive throughout the centuries. The most interesting part of the urban fabric in Aleppo is its traditional residential architecture. When the urban residential fabric is examined in Aleppo, it is seen that it has similarities to the climatic and social structure in Anatolia. The streets with organic texture are surrounded by blind and high courtyard walls. The climate of the area, building materials, traditions, social and cultural environment have their physical effects on the residential architecture. The traditional residential architecture of Aleppo starting from the Mesopotamian period has lasted as well through the Islamic Period.