This civic project, as part of a plan to protect the Old City of Aleppo,[REF] began in 1995 came with some controversy regarding land speculation, land use and its impact on existing residents [REF].
The square became a popular destination, especially for visitors passing through the narrow alleyways of Aleppo's Old City[REF]-it was home to many shops of antiques and handmade jewellery [REF].