Diary of a Journey through Syria and Palestine

SATURDAYi the 2nd of Rajab of the year’438 (Jannaiy 2, 1047 A.D.), we reached Sarfiij, and the second day thence, having crossed the Euphrates, came to Manbij. This is the first of the towns of Syria. It was now the month Bahman (Januaty) of the ancient (Persians), and the weather in these lands was extremely pleasant. There are no buildings without the town of Manbij. Thence we journeyed to the city of Aleppo (Halab). From Miydfdrikin to Aleppo is a hundred leagues (farsakh).

Aleppo appears a fine city. It has great walls, whose height I estimate at twenty-five cubits (drsh); also a strong castle, entirely built on the rock, which I consider to be as large as the castle at Balkh. All the houses and buildings of Aleppo stand close one beside the other. This city is the place where they levy the customs (on merchandise passing) between the lands of Syria and Asia Minor, and Diy&r Bakr and Egypt and ’Irtlk, and there come merchants and traders from out ail these lands to Aleppo. The city has four gates, namely. Bib al Yahdd (the Jews’ Cate), Bdb Allah (the Gate of All.ah), Bdb al Jinftn (the Gate of Paradise), and BAb AntAkiyah (the Gate of Antioch). The weight used in the bazaars of this place is the DliAhirl Rati (or pound), which contains 480 dirhams weight.