october 2006
medieval citadel in haleb. this is an impressive monument that has witnessed centuries of syrian history. this site was central from prehistoric times, through rome, byzantines, early islam, the period of the crusades, ottoman times, and in fact is still actively used by the president to hold state dinner). it is barraged by half-executed restorations and excavations. a tacky fake roman ampitheater which is hardly used was constructed about 3 years ago. in general the citadel's innards were littered with trash, but i was told by a reliable source that this was due to understaffing during eid. still...
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ruth, berna and gabreel on the steps.
berna gets us in for free -- she has friends on the inside.
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5000 years show different layers of history. berna thinks this looks ottoman? she is helping to copyedit the english version of the guidebook. i should know this kind of thing for sure.
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these starswars looking domes are shaped this way to let light into the baths(alhammam) beneath.
a view from below.
ruth, berna & me.
the innards of a half excavated citadel make-up the background landscape.
ruth, gebreel, berna.
an archer's view of haleb.
from the top of the citadel.
a mosque inside the citadel.
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some teenage friends.
usually it's $6 to get in. but look, there's still trash every where.
corrugated metal covering a german-syrian excavation of 5000 year old stormgod temple.
the entrance, arabic engravings.
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