What is the history of Raqqa?
Posted on Feb 09, 2026 / Travel
Raqqa has a long history stretching back to ancient times, and it was part of various empires and kingdoms over the centuries. During the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th and 9th centuries, the city was briefly a capital and saw major building projects, including palaces and mosques. Later on, it was ruled by different regional powers and became known for trade, agriculture, and local crafts. In the 20th century Raqqa was part of the modern state of Syria after independence from the French Mandate. During the Syrian conflict starting in the 2010s, control of the city changed hands several times and it was heavily impacted. In recent years, international and local efforts have aimed at stabilizing the city and rebuilding infrastructure. The long historical arc of Raqqa reflects both its regional importance and the challenges it has faced. (General history of Raqqa from broad historical sources)
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