Al-Madina Souq

About this place

Al-Madina Souq is the covered market at the heart of the Old City of Aleppo, and at about 13 km it is the largest historic covered market in the world. It is part of the Ancient City of Aleppo on the UNESCO list. It was a major trading centre, selling silk, spices, wool and Aleppo's famous laurel soap. Most of it dates from the 14th century, and its sections take their names from trades and crafts, such as the wool souq and the copper souq. Merchants stayed with their goods in khans scattered through the market, with fine facades and fortified wooden doors, while smaller caeserias served as craft workshops. Large parts have been damaged in recent years. You walk through narrow vaulted stone passages, lit through small roof openings, past gateways decorated with bands of stone. Restored sections have reopened, including Souq Khan al-Harir according to 2026 reports, while others stay closed. The photos here show the souq before the damage, so expect differences. It begins about 600 m in a straight line from the Great Mosque and runs towards the Citadel. Entry is open in the working sections, so ask which passages are open and stay clear of areas not yet restored. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Syria, and British consular help is not available there, so check official guidance before making any plans.