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City Guide:
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Historical Palmyra (the word means "city of
palms") is the premier attraction in Syria. Now on the outskirts of the town of
Tadmor (an oasis in the middle of the Syrian Desert), Palmyra was the capital of Syria at
the time of Christ and served as an important political and commercial center of the Silk
Route between Europe and the Orient. It owes its existence to the Afqa (Afka) underground
spring. The city was the home of Queen Zenobia (who defeated the Romans once, only to fall
to them in 272 AD) and today comprises 2 mi./3 km of impressive temples and colonnades. Be
sure to see the Monumental Arch; the Street of  Columns; and the Valley of Tombs (or Tombs of the Towers), built with four
different types of tombs of various sizes, including 150 square tombs, three to five tiers
high. Other must-see attractions of the city include an excellent museum, the great
colonnade, Agora, the Underground Tombs, the theater, the Hypogeum of the Three Brothers,
the Temple of Bel and other Roman ruins. A real treat, Palmyra takes several hours to
view. We recommend staying at the ruins until after sunset, which requires an overnight
there. 135 mi./217 km northeast of Damascus. Here are some Gifs to look at.
Palmyra is located i n the heart of the
Syrian desert with a long extension full of palm tries. It is called the bride of
the Syrian desert. This city contain wonderful ruins and landmarks of antiquity that stand
high to tell much of the greatness of the city. Queen Zenobia is known to be the most
prominent herione of the city Zenobia's era in Palmyra marked the golden age of this city in the second
and third centuries A.D. Queen Zenbia controlled Syria in 270 A.D. and swept Egypt
afterwards. In the year 272 A.D. the Roman armies swept Palmyra and besieged
it until it fell and Queen Zenobia was arrested and driven to Rome as a captive.
Palmyra then was destroyed and its rich heritage
and wealth overran. The city is located 250 km northeast of Damascus and 155 km east of
Homs.
A visit to Palmyra's ruins which cover 6 square
kilometers takes a full day to see and have an idea about them. These Ruins are a clear
sign of the beauty and greatness of Palmyra. The most prominent ruins are the
huge  pillars
and fascinating arches. Then Come three temples of Bel, Baalshamin and Nebo. Also,
the visitor will find the victory arch, theatre, bathes the long street and
the senate place. It is also worthwhile for any visitor to visit the cemeteries scattered
around the city. The visitor can also enjoy his time with a panoramic outlook of the
palm plantations and desert when ascending to the hill where the castle of
Fakhruddin Al-Maani, Which was built in the Seventeenth Century A.D.
 Palmyra museums, however, is full of artistic works of the ages the city
had gone through. They include engravings, mosaic, golden, bronze and brick work, as
well as folklore works of Palmyra. There is also Afka spring which is the secret of
life in this desert city. It suphuric water is a remedy for a number of
illnesses besides irrigating Palmyra's plantations and nurseries.
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