BERLIN.- A piece of Aleppo's soul, ravaged by war and the devastating 2023 earthquake, is being painstakingly rebuilt. The Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin has announced the successful completion of the first phase of a landmark restoration project: the magnificent Bait Wakil (Wakil House), a historic courtyard dwelling in the ancient Syrian city.

This initiative is more than just repairing walls; it’s a commitment to preserving the cultural heart of what is, according to current research, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Crucially, the project served as a training ground for a new generation of Syrian craftsmen, reviving skills that were on the brink of extinction. The official first phase concluded on October 16, 2025.

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

The Bait Wakil holds a special significance for the Berlin museum: it is the original source of the world-famous Aleppo Room—a splendidly painted wooden wall paneling dating from the early 17th century—which is a major highlight of the museum's own collection. While the original room was restored in Berlin over several years, the museum used this connection to launch an intensive on-site project in Aleppo, partnering with the local Greek Orthodox Church.

The recent 18-month effort focused on restoring the intricate decorative window lattices and stone reliefs that grace the courtyard façades. The project, funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation, blended practical conservation with specialized education, ensuring that Syrian stonemasons and masons learned traditional building techniques for handling and professionally restoring damaged historic structures.

"With the restoration of the Bait Wakil, we are sending a signal: Aleppo's cultural heritage can be rebuilt—stone by stone," emphasized Stefan Weber, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art. "Our museum has been connected with Aleppo for 125 years and has a responsibility for the cultural heritage both here and there."

Building a Future on Ancient Skills

The most vital element of the project is its model for future reconstruction. As the conflict and the 2023 earthquake have left many historic structures close to collapse, the need for skilled local hands is immense.

Dima Dayoub, the Syrian-German project manager, highlighted the collaborative spirit: "This pilot project comprehensively unites local and international know-how to learn from each other and preserve our common heritage."

The effort is already inspiring future tradespeople. Youssef Ayoub, a trainee on the project, noted, "This initiative encourages a new generation to take up this craft—especially at a time when it was almost extinct."

The Bait Wakil project is intended to be replicated across various trades—including woodworking, mosaic, and plasterwork—and eventually, to inform the rebuilding of entire city districts. A comprehensive inventory, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office and involving drone surveys, is currently underway to create the necessary foundation for an urban master plan for Aleppo's Old City.

This restoration is part of the ongoing Syrian Heritage Archive Project (SHAP), a digital database run by the Museum of Islamic Art and the German Archaeological Institute, which contains over 300,000 entries used as the groundwork for reconstruction efforts.