One of world’s oldest castles is left ravaged after earthquake in Syria, photos show

The Citadel of Aleppo, one of the oldest castles in the world and a major monument in the Middle East, was severely damaged following the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey.

Parts of the structure, an imposing hilltop fortress built around the 12th century, were reduced to rubble, including exterior walls, towers and barracks, according to a Feb. 16 statement from the Syrian Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums.

Walls on all four sides of the fortress were damaged, and pillars and doorways were disfigured, officials said.

In photos released by the government, heaps of stone blocks can be seen scattered on the ground near one partially collapsed tower. Other photos show a large crack running up the facade of the citadel’s minaret.

The citadel and surrounding city of Aleppo, located in northwestern Syria, hold a rich history distinguished by its military significance and cultural diversity, according to the book “Aleppo: A History.”

During the middle ages, the city was “a strongpoint of the Islamic resistance to the crusader presence,” according to the book, which adds that the citadel is “one of the most dramatic examples of a fortified enclosure in the Islamic tradition.”

The castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drew hundreds of thousands of visitors prior to the eruption of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, which continues on today, according to the World Monuments Fund.

As a result of the conflict, damages have been inflicted on the ancient castle throughout the past decade.

In 2015, when Syrian government forces were being stationed in the fortress, a bomb exploded nearby, destroying part of a wall, according to the BBC.

Additionally, many of the historic buildings surrounding the fortress have been laid to waste as a result of the decadeslong conflict, according to the United Nations.

“Until it was engulfed by intense fighting in 2012 between Government and opposition forces, Aleppo was viewed as one of the best examples of urban conservation and preservation,” according to a 2018 UN report. “Today, it lies largely in ruins, with its ‘invaluable centuries-old landmarks severely damaged or destroyed.’”

The devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the Syria-Turkey border Feb. 6 only added to the destruction. It’s unclear if or when any reconstruction efforts will be made.

Over 40,000 people are estimated to have been killed as a result of the earthquake, thousands have been displaced and millions are in desperate need of humanitarian aid, according to UNICEF.

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