Cotton Souk

Cotton bazaar is part of a vast commercial network connecting Aleppo to cities such as Istanbul, Baghdad, and even Europe. It was famous for selling high-quality cotton fabrics, which were exported to Muslim and Mediterranean countries. It was opened by the governor of Aleppo, Fikri Pasha, after the opening of the Muslimia-Iskenderun railway line, making Aleppo a huge sorting center. The wooden vault with side openings reflects a soft light on a “steelyard balance” indicating weight by the Turks. A price board engraved with the prices of Kara Afrin and Hassaka cotton can be found inside. The market suffered a minor fire in 2014 and was restored with the original roof. It reopened in 2021 as a permanent exhibit for Cotton Roadthat introduces visitors to the stages of cotton ginning and spinning, and gives children cotton balls to feel and take photographs.