The Ancient Art of Aleppo Soap: A UNESCO Treasure's Remarkable Revival

In the shadow of Syria's devastating civil war, one of humanity's oldest continuously produced crafts has managed to endure and even flourish. Aleppo soap, which is believed to be the world's oldest soap still in production, represents not just a cleansing product but a living artifact of intangible cultural heritage now recognized by UNESCO.

Ancient Origins of a Timeless Craft

Archaeological evidence suggests that soap-making in the region around Aleppo dates back nearly 3,000 years. The distinctive formula—combining local olive oil with laurel berry oil through an age-old process—has remained remarkably unchanged since at least the 8th century CE when the first written records of its production appear.

"What's extraordinary about Aleppo soap isn't just its antiquity, but its continuity," explains Bassam Al-Machout, co-founder of Zhenobya, offering aleppo soaps in Germany since 2004. "We're looking at a production method that has passed through countless generations, surviving empire collapses, industrial revolutions, and now, civil war."

The craft's inclusion on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 formally acknowledged what artisans have known for centuries: this is not merely a consumer product but a living embodiment of Syrian cultural identity.

The Alchemy of Simplicity

The production process remains defiantly pre-industrial. Soap makers begin by boiling olive oil (traditionally locally grown) with a lye solution in large, in-ground vats. Laurel berry oil, harvested from bay trees in nearby mountains, is then added, providing the soap's distinctive fragrance and beneficial properties.

After cooking for three days over wood fires, the mixture is spread across stone floors to cool before being cut by hand into the distinctive cube shape. Each piece is stamped with the maker's seal—some family marks dating back generations.

Most crucially, the soap is then stacked in tower-like formations to age for 6-9 months. During this time, excess water evaporates while the outer portion oxidizes, turning a distinctive golden-brown color while the interior remains olive-green.

"The aging process is what separates authentic Aleppo soap from imitations," notes Bassam Al-Machout. "Without proper aging, the soap would be too harsh on the skin."

Near Extinction and Revival

By 2012, as the Syrian conflict intensified, Aleppo's historic soap factories in the ancient souk became battlegrounds. Production plummeted as master artisans fled the country, carrying their knowledge abroad. The industry faced potential extinction in its birthplace.

Yet this dispersal of expertise had an unexpected consequence. As soap makers relocated to neighboring countries and Europe, they established small-scale operations that introduced authentic Aleppo soap to new markets.

In Turkey, Lebanon, France, Germany, and beyond, Syrian refugees with soap-making heritage began producing Aleppo soap according to traditional methods. Meanwhile, as parts of Aleppo gradually stabilized, resilient artisans began rebuilding workshops amid the rubble of the old city.

UNESCO Recognition: Preserving Heritage Beyond Objects

The 2024 inclusion on UNESCO's heritage list marked a critical turning point. Unlike World Heritage Sites, which recognize physical locations, this designation acknowledges the soap-making process itself as worthy of protection.

The UNESCO recognition provides technical assistance for documentation, training programs for new generations, and international visibility for practitioners of the craft. Perhaps most importantly, it signals to consumers worldwide that authentic Aleppo soap represents a cultural treasure requiring protection.

Global Appreciation Through Understanding

Today's revival of interest in Aleppo soap extends beyond refugee communities. As consumers increasingly seek natural products with historical significance, Aleppo soap has found new appreciation among those concerned with sustainability, ethical consumption, and traditional craftsmanship.

Its minimal ingredient list—primarily olive oil, laurel oil, water, and lye—stands in stark contrast to the dozens of synthetic components in commercial soaps. Its traditional production methods embody principles of sustainability that predate modern environmental movements by centuries.

Medical research has also begun documenting what traditional users have long claimed: the soap's natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it effective for various skin conditions, from acne to eczema.

Challenges Amid Revival

Despite its resurgence, authentic Aleppo soap faces challenges. Climate change threatens the bay laurel trees essential to production. Market confusion abounds with imitations claiming authenticity without proper aging or ingredients. And within Syria, rebuilding infrastructure for large-scale production remains difficult.

Yet the craft's remarkable resilience offers hope. Having survived millennia of historical upheavals, the ancient art of Aleppo soap-making appears to be navigating its most recent challenges with the same adaptability that has preserved it for thousands of years.

For those seeking to support this living heritage, education remains vital. Understanding the authentic production process, recognizing proper aging, and appreciating the cultural significance behind each bar helps ensure that this ancient craft continues its remarkable revival for generations to come.