Noor Al-Ahmad

Raqqa — A few months ago, the Culture Authority in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria launched a project to construct a heritage-style gate at the entrance of Al-Mansour Street in Raqqa. The gate is built in the Abbasid architectural style to match the structure of Raqqa’s ancient wall, using handmade fired bricks.

The goal of the project is to restore the aesthetic value of archaeological sites—especially the city wall, parts of which were destroyed during the war. According to Sefraes Sharif, co-chair of the Culture and Antiquities Authority, the timing of the project was no coincidence: it coincided with the anniversary of Raqqa’s liberation from ISIS, symbolizing the people’s resilience and defiance in the face of the destruction that struck the region during those years.

Protecting Antiquities

Given the region’s rich archaeological heritage, Sharif stresses the need to raise awareness about the importance of preserving heritage sites as cultural identity markers for the area. She explains that the Office for the Protection of Culture and Antiquities is working on several construction projects aimed at rebuilding and restoring archaeological and historical sites to prevent their collapse and disappearance.

Among the most notable projects completed since the beginning of this year is the construction of a gate surrounding the ancient wall of Raqqa. Its distinctive geographic location separates the neighborhoods from the old city center. The gate reflects Abbasid-era architectural design, reminiscent of the fortifications that once protected the city but later deteriorated due to natural factors, war, and bombardment.

Sharif explains that planning for the construction of the gate began nearly three months ago. It was named “Al-Mansour Street Gate” due to its proximity to the street, which separates the residential neighborhoods from the city center. She added that the restoration work also included Jaabar Castle, the ancient Raqqa wall, and the wall gate itself.

The Ancient Raqqa Wall

The old Raqqa wall is considered one of the most significant archaeological and historical landmarks, bearing witness to the eras the city has passed through—from periods of prosperity to the conflicts of the Abbasid era and up to the present day. Sharif notes that the Authority has worked diligently to preserve this heritage: “In building the gate, we adopted an architectural and engineering style identical to the surrounding wall. The same materials were used—mud bricks and fired tiles—ranging between 20 and 25 pieces per structure. These materials are produced in the famous Harqala kilns, the only such kilns in the Middle East, using raw materials and through several successive stages, under the supervision of specialists and architectural engineers.”

The Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria continues its work to highlight the deep-rooted history of Raqqa: “We remain committed to supporting the region’s revival and bringing its ancient architectural heritage back to life by adding unique and beautiful architectural touches that will reflect an identity symbolizing what the region has endured.”

Sharif concluded by stressing the importance of protecting archaeological sites: “These sites serve as a visual and architectural identity and a living heritage of the region’s culture. The primary responsibility lies in protecting them from disappearance and passing them on to future generations. It is essential to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these sites, as they represent collective memory and remain the only witnesses to past eras.”