After 14 years of closure Saint Simeon citadel welcomes visitors again in Aleppo

Saint Simeon Citadel in rural Aleppo has welcomed visitors for the first time since 2012, reopening after 14 years following restoration work. The site suffered damage during the Syrian war and again in the February 2023 earthquake.

Dating to the fifth century, it is one of Syria’s most significant Christian landmarks. The religious complex was built around the pillar where Saint Simeon Stylites lived as a hermit for decades, becoming a major pilgrimage destination after his death.

Its four churches surround a central octagonal courtyard containing the remains of the saint’s pillar. The site forms part of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rehabilitation included clearing rubble and war debris, reopening visitor paths, reinforcing damaged structures and restoring facilities. Further restoration and protection are still needed.

The reopening brings more than 1,500 years of history back onto Aleppo’s cultural and tourism map.