Bab al-Faraj (Remains of the Ottoman Gate)

Bab al-Faraj, also known as Bab al-Faradis, is located north of the old town. It was originally built by Al-Zahir Ghazi and later reopened by al-Nasir Yusuf II. In 1904, the gate was demolished along with part of the surrounding urban fabric, turning the area into a public square that kept the same name. Bab al-Faraj was built in the Ottoman period as a large entrance that connects the city to its western suburbs. Most of its stones were reused for the construction of the famous clock tower in 1900, yet the pointed arch and theTugra inscription remained a lasting memory of Aleppo’s transition from a fortified military city to a modern urban center. In 2021, the gate underwent restoration, with lime mortar injections reinforcing its structure and the inscription coated with a wax mixture to protect it from moisture. A nearby interactive screen features a 3D model illustrating how the gate appeared with its twin towers before demolition. Recently, the remains of the original gate have been uncovered several meters below the street level.