The Citadel of Aleppo During the Seljuk Period in Historical Process

The city of Aleppo is located in a very strategic location in the north of Syria, where the transit roads cross from north to south and east to west. Aleppo is a city that preserved its importance in every period of history with this feature. In 1086, The Seljukids started to rule over the city during the reign of the Great Seljuk's ruler Melikshah. The short-term Seljukid domination indwelled the Turkish-Islamic civilization in every aspects in Aleppo. The citadel of Aleppo is the most spectacular building in Aleppo, which has a ancient history. The castle which dates back BC. 3000, it is one of the most remarkable and ancient works of military architecture in the Middle East, even in the world. It rises stately from the center of the old city. It has long been regarded as one of the wonders of the Islamic world. The citadel of Aleppo is situated on a natural oval-shaped mound with an artificially formed slope.It does not have a regular plan. Since its terrain is flat, the city is equipped with a triple defense system in the form of moat, outer and inner walls. During the Seljuk period, the city walls were rebuilt and the fortifications were repaired many times. Nuraddin Zangi has a privileged place in the castle history at the point of repair of the fortress, the construction of new administrative and social structures and defenses. The citadel of Aleppo, a Seljukid fortress, and its defense structures will be tried to evaluated in light of historical data in our article.

Keywords

Aleppo, The citadel of Aleppo, Seljuks, Imadaddin Zangi, Nûraddin Zangi.