Bab Antakeya
History
This gate was considered the main bab of the city during the Byzantine rule, but it lost its importance gradually during the Islamic and Arab rule, until the reconstruction by the Ayyubid Emir of Aleppo An-Nasir Yusuf (ruled 1242-60) on an 11th-century base. It was further rebuilt in the 15th century in Mamluk era when the gate regained its vital role as a main landmark for the old city.
During the Battle of Aleppo in the Syrian civil war the gate became a key target for rebel forces who tried to take the old Citadel.
Construction
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). The main axis of the old Souq of Aleppo is originated from the Antakeya gate.