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The Citadel
The Citadel receives many local, domestic, and international visitors each year. Developing tourism in the Citadel is a central complementary initiative of the conservation projects undertaken by The Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums and the Historic Cities Programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The tourism projects cover several areas and have various components:

1. Tourist Path System inside the Citadel

The implementation of this project began in 2003 and was completed in 2005.  A development plan was made for these pathways, taking into consideration the following:

• Existing historic stone pathways inside the Citadel used to connect sites and buildings.
• Design of a tourist route winding through most of the important sites and structures in the Citadel, with shortcuts available for visitors with limited time.

2. Visitor's Centre

Included in the development projects were several museums inside the Citadel.  These museums aim to deepen the visitors experience with cultural and tourist activities. Inside the Ottoman Barracks—the 19th-century rectangular building on the northern ramparts, the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums allocated the middle section of space for a museum presentation with historical presentations and objects found in the Citadel.  The western quarter of the structure was allocated for a small book and gift shop.  The right-most quarter houses a presentation room, hosting video presentations several times an hour, occasional lectures, and special events related to the Citadel.  In the left section of the barracks, a café offers visitors light snacks and drinks.  

The two other museums are located in the Ayyubid complex.  The Arsenal showcases military instruments and tools.  In the Ayyubid Tower, on the southern wall of the Citadel, a more general presentation details the military history of the Citadel.

3. Publications and books

Tourism development in the Citadel Perimeter Area

As a result of an agreement between the Directorate of the Old City of Aleppo and the Historic Cities  Programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, several development projects have begun to take place in the Perimeter area, especially with regards to developing appropriate tourist facilities.  A few neighbourhoods have been designated for pilot projects beginning in the summer of 2006 and finishing at the end of 2007.  These neighbourhoods lay between the entrance to of the Zarab Souk and the entrance to the Government House.  The rest of the neighbourhoods will have projects implemented by the Old City Directorate of Aleppo in the beginning of this year, which will be completed in the coming years. Visit the perimeter.