Écochard: Aleppo Album

Michel Écochard compiled a series of albums, some on particular projects or work themes, others more focused on particular places. Attached to the Service des antiquités in Syria in 1932, he managed a range of restoration projects of Islamic monuments in Aleppo in the 1930s and 1940s as well as developing an urban plan reorganizing the entry to Aleppo via the route de Damas and constructing a sports stadium.

The Aleppo album illustrates work he had undertaken in the city and more generally his interest in its history and archaeology. For the most part it is composed of his own photography; occasionally there are images from colleagues such as Jean Sauvaget as well as state authorities, and copies of some postcards. Moreover, it demonstrates his interest in photography in general and the influence on planning that his interest in aviation and aerial photography would have. He has given brief captions to pages where necessary. 

The following sites are included in the album. (Please note that the links below will take you to the record for each site. To go directly to the material on each site in this collection, click "View the Collection" on the image to the right.)

1. Citadel of Aleppo

2. Jami' al-Bayyada

3. Jami' al-Utrush

4. Jami' Altinbugha

5. Khanqah al-Farafra