Al-Hibal ( ropes) Market, the fifth old market of Aleppo is under renovation

Aleppo, SANA- An active movement is witnessed in al-Hibal ( ropes ) market, the fifth of the old markets of Aleppo, to complete the restoration works  as the sounds of hand shovels in the sculpture of stones and the restoration of antiquities are heightened to restore them in arches, walls and ceilings, part of which collapsed as a result of the sabotage and destruction caused by terrorism.

The step announces the imminent return of life to this market and its 57 shops, most of which have been devoted to the sale of ropes used in old handicrafts and crafts, tent supplies and tightening wooden benches.

Director of Old Aleppo Department, Ahmed al-Shihabi, told SANA that the restoration works in al-Hibal market comes in implementation of the agreement signed between the Aleppo province, the City Council, the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, Syria Trust for Development and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).

He added that the documentation of the market was previously carried out by the cadres of the AKTC who evaluated the damage, after which the restoration work would start, which includes rehabilitating the ceilings and building six shops with their ceilings behind the Umayyad Mosque in accordance with the standards of restoration, as well as restoring stone facades, and replacing damaged infrastructure.

Al-Shihabi noted that the importance of al-Hibal market comes in the sense that it is very close to the Umayyad Mosque and it is one of the 37 covered traditional markets of Aleppo, and it connects Souk El Haddadine “ souk of the smiths”, one of the main entrances to old Aleppo with Souq al-Neswan “Women market” or  Istanbul new market “ east of the Umayyad Mosque.”

Nisreen Othman/ Mazen Eyon