| Bab Antakeya Bāb Antakiya | |
|---|---|
بَاب أَنْطَاكِيَّة | |
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 Interactive map of Bab Antakeya Bāb Antakiya | |
| General information | |
| Status | restored |
| Type | City gate |
| Architectural style | Byzantine architecture Islamic architecture |
| Location | Aleppo, Syria |
| Completed | 6th century |
| Renovated | 11th century, 1422 |
| Owner | Sayf al-Dawla |
| Known for | One of the 9 main gates of the ancient city walls of Aleppo |
Bāb Antakiya (Arabic:بَاب أَنْطَاكِيَّة,romanized: Bāb ʾAnṭākīyah,Aleppo Arabic:[ˈbæːbˈntˤaːkjɛ], "Gate ofAntioch") is a critical defense gate inAleppo, which protects the city from the west.[1] Bab Antakiya is located in the centre of the western wall of the old city of Aleppo, and its name was derived fromAntioch, the capital of ancient Syria, as the gate was the main exit which was leading to the city of Antioch.[1]
This gate was considered the mainbab of the city during theByzantine rule, but it lost its importance gradually during the Islamic and Arab rule, until the reconstruction by theAyyubidEmir of AleppoAn-Nasir Yusuf (ruled 1242-60) on an 11th-century base.[1] It was further rebuilt in the 15th century inMamluk era when the gate regained its vital role as a main landmark for the old city.[1]
During theBattle of Aleppo in theSyrian civil war the gate became a key target forrebel forces who tried to take the old Citadel.[2]
The gate is topped by two rising parallel hexagonal bastions with a jagged entrance path, being located under the one which is on the right side due to defensive tactics, consisted of white stones of big sizes (0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) X (1.0 m (3 ft 3 in).[3] The main axis of the oldSouq of Aleppo is originated from the Antakeya gate.
36°11′55.25″N37°9′5.25″E / 36.1986806°N 37.1514583°E /36.1986806; 37.1514583