Saint Elijah Maronite Cathedral

The Mar Elias Maronite Cathedral was built in 1873, replacing an earlier Maronite church and underwent renovations in 1914. It was constructed in the Italian architectural style, and was named after the biblical prophet Elijah. It stands on Germano Farhat Square, named after the renowned Aleppine writer, whose statue was erected there in 1932 to mark the bicentennial of his passing. The defining feature of the cathedral is the western facade, characterized by twin tower topped with pyramidal structures. The main entrance opens in an atrium adorned with green areas. Inside, the layout consists of a three-section nave, a vaulted crossing before the apse, and upper galleries overlooking the side ranges. A clock in the northern tower chimes every fifteen minutes, playing *Ave Maria *, further establishing the cathedral as a distinctive landmark in the Al-Jdeideh district. The cathedral sustained severe damage in the events leading up to 2016, with parts of the nave’s roof collapsing and the western facade that sustained significant harm. Nevertheless, the central dome remained largely intact. After Aleppo’s liberation at the end of 2016, religious services resumed, with the first Easter Mass held in 2017, even before full restoration of the roof was completed.