Aleppo's Social Life is Coming Back. Vesti Exclusive

Now free of fighters, Aleppo's social life is getting back to normal. Museums and hotels are reopening all over town. One of these is the famous Hotel Baron, which was renowned for its famous guests, such as Agatha Christie, Valentina Tereshkova, Yuri Gagarin, and many other celebrities. Our military correspondent, Aleksei Baranov now reports from that legendary building. Built in 1911, The Hotel Baron was the first high-society hotel in Syria. Before it, the only places to stay were old-style roadside inns. There is still antique furniture in this building, which has stood for over 100 years. This is room 203 — where the famous Agatha Christie stayed. Beds, night tables, the dresser, mirrors — all reminders of the great writer. In fact, this is where she started writing her famous novel, "Murder on the Orient Express". In the hallways, Arabian furniture from the beginning of the last century, and on the walls, Syria's first ever tourism advertisements. The Hotel Baron is the first hotel in Aleppo recommended by the Ministry of Tourism. It has central heating, comfortable rooms and a unique location in the city. There are high ceilings, a wide staircase, and wood floors that haven't been replaced since day it was built. We're approaching room 213 — a two-room luxury suite, the best in the hotel. Room 213 of Hotel Baron can be considered a memorial room. This is where Yuri Gagarin, Valentina Tereshkova and Syria's former president Hafez Al-Assad stayed. This living room is where he would hold meetings once he had arrived in to Aleppo. Other guests of this room include Lawrence of Arabia, the Roosevelts and Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser. At one time, all the rooms were interconnected; there was no privacy at all. They went to France, chose the architects, and built what you might call this very "Parisian" hotel. Renowned celebrities like Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova stayed here. While the eastern part of Aleppo was occupied by militants, the hotel was used to house refugees. The hotel was on the contact line between eastern and western Aleppo. We knew that the militants would try to destroy everything of historical value. What Aleppo looked like before the war, inhabitants and tourists now remember only from photographs. The heart of Aleppo, The Citadel — before and after the war. The luxurious public bathhouse, Hammam Al Nahhasin; one of the largest shopping centers in Syria; bazaars, squares, streets. Everything of value was destroyed or looted. The city, especially its eastern part, is in ruins. And of course, the Umayyad Mosque. This eighth-century mosque is the oldest in Aleppo, and definitely the most beautiful. Behind me you can see the fortifications which were built by the militants. You can understand and see just how badly the mosque was damaged, while eastern Aleppo was not under the control of government forces. Now the streets have been cleared of debris. Exhibits, rescued from the militants, are now being returned to the National Museum of Aleppo. These trucks were brought in under tight security. Their route and starting point are still classified. Before the battles in Aleppo began, the artifacts, some of which are thousands of years old, were removed to safe locations, hidden from public view. We understood that if the militants came, everything would be destroyed. Soon we hope to return everything that is still hidden away in secret depositories, that we still can't show you. Restoration of the city is moving at full speed now. This is the largest and most modern hotel in Aleppo. The walls are pitted with holes, and broken windows are already being replaced. And just like the Baron, there are already guests here, some of them foreigners. And they, just like the locals, believe that the historical places of the city, known throughout the world, will be restored. A