Bab Antakeya
Encyclopedia
Bāb Antakiya formed one of the most important defense gates in Aleppo
, protecting the city from the west. Baba Antakiya is located in the centre of the western wall of the old city of Aleppo, and its name was derived from Antioch, the capital of ancient Syria, as the gate was the main exit which was leading to the city of Antioch.
It is one of the oldest gates built due to its strategic site thus going through several construction periods. Sayf al-Daula
rebuilt the gate using its antique foundations and the Fatimids restored it during the 11th century. It went through periodical repairs and restorations until 1422. The Bab is well preserved today with both its towers still intact. The two massive Ayyubid defense towers were built with thick stone walls into which the deep arrow slits were discreetly inserted. The gate contains the shrine of Sheikh Ali al-Rumi in the southern tower.
This gate was considered the main bab of the city during the Byzantine
rule, but it lost its importance gradually during the Islamic rule, until the Mamluk era wehen the gate regained its vital role as a main landmark for the old city. The gate is toped by two rising parallel towers, being located under the one which is on the right side due to defensive tactics, consisted of white stones of big sizes (0.80 X 1.00 meters). The main axis of the old Suq of Aleppo is originated from the Antakeya gate.
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
, protecting the city from the west. Baba Antakiya is located in the centre of the western wall of the old city of Aleppo, and its name was derived from Antioch, the capital of ancient Syria, as the gate was the main exit which was leading to the city of Antioch.
It is one of the oldest gates built due to its strategic site thus going through several construction periods. Sayf al-Daula
Sayf al-Daula
Ali ibn Abi al-Hayja 'Abd Allah ibn Hamdan ibn al-Harith Sayf al-Dawla al-Taghlibi , more commonly known simply by his laqab of Sayf al-Dawla , was the ruler of northern Syria and the brother of al-Hasan ibn Hamdan , the founder and the most prominent prince of the Arab Hamdanid dynasty from...
rebuilt the gate using its antique foundations and the Fatimids restored it during the 11th century. It went through periodical repairs and restorations until 1422. The Bab is well preserved today with both its towers still intact. The two massive Ayyubid defense towers were built with thick stone walls into which the deep arrow slits were discreetly inserted. The gate contains the shrine of Sheikh Ali al-Rumi in the southern tower.
This gate was considered the main bab of the city during the Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
rule, but it lost its importance gradually during the Islamic rule, until the Mamluk era wehen the gate regained its vital role as a main landmark for the old city. The gate is toped by two rising parallel towers, being located under the one which is on the right side due to defensive tactics, consisted of white stones of big sizes (0.80 X 1.00 meters). The main axis of the old Suq of Aleppo is originated from the Antakeya gate.