A delegation from the Ministry of Culture conducted a field visit to Qal‘at Sem‘an in the western countryside of Aleppo to explore the development of a strategic plan aimed at rehabilitating the site and reopening it to visitors, thereby strengthening its status as a cultural and tourist destination.
The delegation included Mr. Ahmad Khnous, representing the Office of the Deputy Minister of Culture, alongside Dr. Masoud Badawi, Director General of Antiquities and Museums, as well as several central directors of antiquities in Damascus and the heads of antiquities departments in Aleppo and Idlib. During the visit, discussions were held with local authorities regarding the necessary measures to protect and preserve the site.
The castle holds significant historical and geographical importance due to its association with the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as a testament to the succession of civilizations in northern Syria.
This initiative comes as part of the Ministry of Culture’s broader plan to revive archaeological sites across various provinces and reinforce their role as cultural and tourist landmarks that reflect the depth and continuity of Syrian civilization throughout history.
