Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption for the Melkite Catholics is one of the largest churches in Aleppo’s historic Jadida neighborhood. Construction began in 1834 and was completed in 1843, during the reign of Sultan Mahmoud II, who eased restrictions imposed by the Ottoman Empire on Christians, including the ban on building churches. The church was built to accommodate the growing Latin community following the expansion of the French presence. It is distinguished by a 30-meter-high concrete bell tower, crowned with an illuminated metal cross. The stained glass windows narrate the mystery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The church can be accessed through three doors—one from the west, another from the north, and the third from the south. Its interior was designed according to Arabic architectural principles, with a strong emphasis on Aleppo’s distinctive engineering methods. The internal dimensions measure 32 meters in length and 15 meters in width. The structure is enhanced by an attic that extends along the north, west, and south sides, while three arcades surround the building. Including the arcades, the church measures 36 meters in length and 23 meters in width. The roof is supported by eight columns and two pillars. The square-shaped columns are made of large, uncarved stones. In the center of the church stand two wooden pulpits—one for preaching and the other for reading the Holy Gospel. The church’s beautiful tiling dates back to its original construction and remains a testament to its historical craftsmanship. It underwent restoration in the 1950s and again during the 1991 renovation campaign. The ornate decorations adorning the steps leading to the sanctuary and the bishop’s throne date back to the church’s original construction and have never been restored.