Al-Raqqah

Raqqa (also spelled ar-Raqqah) is a city in north-central Syria on the north bank of the Euphrates River and the capital of Raqqa Governorate. It is known for its deep history, its role as an Abbasid-era capital and the heavy damage it endured during the Syrian conflict.

Founded in antiquity as the Hellenistic and Roman city of Callinicum, Raqqa later grew into the twin city of al-Rafiqah. Under Caliph Harun al-Rashid in the late 8th and early 9th centuries, it served as an imperial residence and briefly as the capital of the Abbasid Empire. Surviving landmarks such as the Abbasid city walls, the Baghdad Gate, the Qasr al-Banat palace ruins and the Heraqla monument reflect that heritage.

Modern Raqqa developed as an agricultural centre for cotton, wheat and other crops, closely linked to the Euphrates and to the Tabqa Dam and Lake Assad further west. The city was captured by the Islamic State in 2014 and became its de facto capital until 2017, when it was retaken by the Syrian Democratic Forces with the support of a US-led coalition. The fighting left much of the city in ruins, and reconstruction and the return of residents have been gradual.

Today, central Raqqa is recovering around its old city, riverfront, souq and Raqqa Museum, while many neighbourhoods are still being rebuilt. The local economy mixes agriculture, small trade and aid-linked reconstruction work, and the city remains an important hub for organisations working across the Euphrates region.

Raqqa is best understood as an emerging rather than a conventional leisure destination. It attracts researchers, aid and reconstruction staff, journalists and travellers interested in Syrian history, but visits require careful planning, local contacts and close attention to the current security situation.