Aleppo (حلب)
Aleppo (Halab in Arabic) is the second biggest city of Syria, a five hour bus drive north of Damascus. It has been a city of trade for centuries. The old city is beautiful. The citadel is impressive. Aleppo's souq is famous. Unfortunately when I was there, it was during the last days of the Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr (Sugar-feast), so the city wasn't really lively.
Citadel
Entrance gate to citadel
Lion next to one of the next gates
Mosque of Abraham on citadel; one of many heads of John the Baptist is supposed to be buried here
View on Aleppo from citadel
Abbuyyid Palace on citadel, throne-room
Abbuyyid Palace on citadel, throne-room
Bab Qinnesrin, southern entrance to the old city