Informal (unplanned) settlements spread in the Ghouta, 1980s

Informal (unplanned) settlements spread in the Ghouta, 1980s

Raqqa - Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall - one of the wall tower

Raqqa – Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall – one of the wall tower

Raqqa - Glass discovered at the site "East Raqqa" - the northern complex

Raqqa – Glass discovered at the site “East Raqqa” – the northern complex

Raqqa - Jar discovered at the site "East Raqqa" - the northern complex

Raqqa – Jar discovered at the site “East Raqqa” – the northern complex

Raqqa, Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall - Excavations

Raqqa, Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall – Excavations

Raqqa - Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall - Columns discovered during excavation

Raqqa – Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall – Columns discovered during excavation

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate (Bab) as seen from outside the fence

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate (Bab) as seen from outside the fence

Raqqa, the inner façade of Baghdad Gate (Bab Baghdad)

Raqqa, the inner façade of Baghdad Gate (Bab Baghdad)

Raqqa - remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa – remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa - remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa – remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Aleppo Citadel, entrance gateways and bridge

Aleppo Citadel, entrance gateways and bridge

ʿAyn Dara Temple, Colossal basalt lion

ʿAyn Dara Temple, Colossal basalt lion

Monastry St. Sergius on the edge of the mountain plain overlooking Maʿlula

Monastry St. Sergius on the edge of the mountain plain overlooking Maʿlula

The historical centre of Maʿlula with St. Lawandius Church and hillside houses facing the valley

The historical centre of Maʿlula with St. Lawandius Church and hillside houses facing the valley

A coffee house and waiting service taxi in the center of the small frontier town

A coffee house and waiting service taxi in the center of the small frontier town

Remains of 'Ayn Dara temple built of basalt stones

Remains of ‘Ayn Dara temple built of basalt stones

Camels and camel herder on way home after transporting cotton sacks in the fields of the Euphrates valley

Camels and camel herder on way home after transporting cotton sacks in the fields of the Euphrates valley

Woman in the outskirts of Raqqa presenting an embroidered cushion sitting on the houses terrace

Woman in the outskirts of Raqqa presenting an embroidered cushion sitting on the houses terrace

Baking of bread in tannur near to a field of maize in the outskirts of ar-Raqqa

Baking of bread in tannur near to a field of maize in the outskirts of ar-Raqqa

Preparing dinner in the courtyard of a mud brick house in the outskirts of Raqqa

Preparing dinner in the courtyard of a mud brick house in the outskirts of Raqqa

Waqf of Ibshir Mustafa Pasha, Coffeehouse, view on the roof

Waqf of Ibshir Mustafa Pasha, Coffeehouse, view on the roof

The city of Raqqa - remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq

The city of Raqqa – remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq

Raqqa - excavations at the site "East Raqqa" - the northern complex

Raqqa – excavations at the site “East Raqqa” – the northern complex

Shahba, View to the historic center of the town

Shahba, View to the historic center of the town

Ajiqbash house, view of the courtyard, south-east corner

Ajiqbash house, view of the courtyard, south-east corner

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate, geometric decorations in the niche, built with bricks

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate, geometric decorations in the niche, built with bricks

The inner façade of Baghdad Gate, Raqqa

The inner façade of Baghdad Gate, Raqqa

Coffehouse Aslan Dada (vanished)

Coffehouse Aslan Dada (vanished)

Raqqa, al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq, Remains of the southern arcade from the inside

Raqqa, al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq, Remains of the southern arcade from the inside

Great Mosque, prayer hall, wooden pulpit (minbar)

Great Mosque, prayer hall, wooden pulpit (minbar)