The Great Mosque of Aleppo
Founded in the 8th century at the west end of the Al-Madina souq. Its black-and-white paved courtyard, and the minaret that fell in 2013.
- Opening hours
- Daylight hours, outside prayer times
- Entry
- Free
- Duration
- 45 minutes
- Best time
- Early morning, courtyard empty and the stone pattern unshaded
- Period
- Umayyad — Mamluk
- Address
- West end of the Al-Madina souq, Old City, Aleppo
Founded in the 8th century, the same century as the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, and it became the religious centre of Aleppo. What you see now has been repaired many times over the centuries; each period left its own stone.
Getting there
At the west end of the Al-Madina souq. Walk west through the souq and you come out in the mosque courtyard; no other directions are needed.
What to see
The courtyard floor is laid in geometric patterns of black basalt and white limestone — it is the surface that shows Aleppo’s stonework best, and most visitors walk across it into the prayer hall without looking down.
What remains
The mosque’s Seljuk minaret, which dated from the 11th century, fell in 2013; you can see where it stood at the north-west corner of the courtyard. Restoration work continues. Come knowing that: what is told here is a loss as well as a building.
Tips
- Look down at the geometric stonework in the courtyard before you walk inside
- The minaret stood at the north-west corner; the restoration area may be fenced
- Walking west through the souq brings you straight into the courtyard