The Maronite Library of Aleppo is one of the most important private collections of manuscripts in the Syrian Arab Republic. This ancient library, belonging formerly to Mar Elias Cathedral, has been growing over the centuries thanks to the purchase of new manuscripts from Lebanon, Syria and the Gazira. Also the work of local copyists and the posthumous donations of books from many distinguished figures of this community such as Germanus Farhat, Bulus Arutin, Germanus Hawa, among others, increased the holdings.

The collection contains more of 1640 copies in Arabic, Syriac and Arabic Karshuni about Bible, theology, history, grammar, science, liturgy, poetry and literature. This catalogue offers the first detailed record and description of the 134 Syriac manuscripts belonging to the Maronite Library of Aleppo. The material is helpfully categorized according to the area of particular concern to the manuscript: Bible, grammars and dictionaries, miscellany and liturgy. The book includes also 48 images and full indices of titles, personal names, subjects and places.

Francisco del Río Sánchez is Assistant Professor in the Department of Semitic Studies at the Barcelona University (Spain). He holds an M.St. degree in Semitic Languages fron the Complutense University of Madrid and a Ph.D. from the Oriental Institute of Rome. He has written extensively in the field of Semitics, Arabic and Aramaic studies.