Bayt Wakil

Bayt Wakil is one of the architecturally valued buildings in the residential fabric of Aleppo, Syria, which during its life went through some land-use changes, serving as residential, hospice and an orphanage, and a hotel and a restaurant prior to the Syrian conflict. The house dates back to the 1600s as it was mentioned on the inscriptions on the wooden boards in it. It was built outside the old city walls in al-Jadida neighborhood in al-Sisi alley and presents a typical wealthy Aleppine courtyard mansion from the Ottoman era. It is named after the owner’s family.

Built from lime-stone and brickwork, the house has stone decorations and painted wooden paneling. The wooden interior decorations (Ajami paneling) of the reception hall are the oldest and most unique one from Syria. In 1912, the paneling was sold by the owner (Shukri Wakil) and was ultimately donated to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin to be kept in the section of Islamic Art. It is currently displayed under the name of (Aleppo Room). In 1930, the house was given to the Greek Orthodox archdiocese and later used as hospice and the reception hall as a chapel. A rehabilitation was initiated in 1993 by investors who converted Bayt Wakil and its adjoining property into a hotel and a restaurant to be together known as Hotel of Bayt Wakil. Bayt Wakil has been closed since the armed conflict started in Aleppo in 2012, causing damages to the building and interfering community’s normal life. Damages range from moderate to severe due to the shelling and bullet holes. The Rapid damage assessment of the house was conducted by the Syrian Heritage Archive Project in collaboration with Islamic Art Museum in Berlin. The report showed the need for urgent intervention for reconstruction, as the damages were mainly placed in three important areas, namely, partial collapse of dome and vault of the reception hall, partial collapse of walls and roofs besides the Iwan, and collapse of the Iwans wooden canopy and façade stones.

After the devastating Earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in February 2023, another section of the outer wall of the house collapsed, blocking the alley with falling stones. As a result, a decision was issued by the Directorate of Antiquities in Aleppo to move all the stones related to the Wakil’s house inside it without carrying out any construction, restoration or repair process. However, till now (August 2023) it is not clear if and how any reconstruction of Bayt Wakil and its business recovery will start. Aleppo reconstruction has been focused on monumental and listed heritage properties with global fame. No action has been taken and no policy directive has been introduced for the reconstruction of Bayt Wakil, similar to other residential fabrics and other businesses despite being crucial for urban recovery.