Palmyra, Syria is a wonderful ancient city that will give you the best memories in the middle of the desert. Also, you’ll discover all the unusual secrets of this city. It was founded in the year 5,000 a.C. If you’re a history and adventure lover, this will be the perfect place for you
Activity/Place Highlights
Valley of the tombs
On the outskirts of the city, you’ll find an amazing mausoleum with impressive monuments. Also, the statues of the richest families in the city will surround you. Right there, they were buried in towers of several floors. In the afternoon, you’ll be able to admire the hill that predominates in the valley. Then, you can enjoy the beautiful painting that is drawn when the sunset bathes the vast desert.
The Great Colonnade
The main avenue of the ancient city of Palmyra is the home of more than 2,000 inhabitants. Over there, you’ll see several stages that extend fall around the Temple of Bel in the southeast corner of the city. Them, you can appreciate the road through which the wagons traveled between the columns. Right there, the pedestrians circulated under the colonnaded porticos on the sides. You can also appreciatte how Syrian war affected the Bell Temple. However, much of it remains intact to the present.
The Monumental Arch
When you get to the city gate, you’ll be worhtless with its Monumental Arch. Once there, you can visit the the main street of the city with a length of 0.75 miles (1.2 km). Besides, you can explore the remains of what were shops, markets, offices, fountains, and temples.
How to get there
There are two main ways to get to the Merenid Tombs from Fes Airport (FEZ):
- By Bus: first, you take a bus to the airport, it is a 40-minute journey to Fes. Then, you’ll take a taxi 5-minute to the Marinid Tombs. It has an estimated price of $2 to 3 USD.
- By taxi: it is a 20-minute journey of $6 to 8 USD.
When to go
You can visit this place at any time but summer. Right then, the climate can be harmful due to ti high temperatures.
How long
To explore Palmyra and the city of Damascus you can have some short tours. However, to have the most wonderful trip you must stay at least 2 days.
Opening and Closing Hours
You can go to the city, the necropolis and the Temple of Bel every day from 8 am to 5 pm. Also, this is the schedule of the city.
Planning
The main thing you need to know is that you must have a visa to go into the Syrian territory. Once there, you can find different restaurants and Hotels near Palmyra. However, you must know all the security measures before visiting this place because of the situation in Syria.
Besides, the best way to travel around Syria is with a tour guide so you can avoid all the government-controlled parts of Syria.
Inside Information
You must know that there are currently NO ATM/Cash Machines in Syria working with foreign bank cards because of the sanctions against Syria. So remember to bring cash with you. On the other hand, most hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and bars have free WIFI, however, the connection is not super fast.
Above all, you should not take photos of any military bases, soldiers, and checkpoints.
History
The city of Palmyra was one of the most visited places in Syria. However, its admirable architectural ancient work has been affected by the chaos of the war in its country. Due to it, it was included in the UNESCO “List of world heritage in danger”.
Later in 2015, the Islamic State occupied the city’s ruins and destroyed some of its historic buildings with explosives and propaganda executions. These acts were classified as war crimes by Unesco.
Perhaps this, there is a huge reconstruction project in these ruins. The government started the restoration of damage caused during the war so the world does not lose this World Heritage Site.
Websites
Other Nearby Attractions
Theater
One of the best-preserved buildings in the city of Palmyra is its Theater. You can admire its 30 rows of seats that rise from the location of the main stage dating from the 2nd century BC. Also, you’ll explore its vaulted passageway leads to the semicircular space that is surrounded by the stands of the Theater. Before you leave, don’t forget to observe the majestic stage of about 48 meters deep.
The temple of Bel
If you want to know the most amazing building in Palmyra, this is the right place for you. At first, you’ll learn its history and how It was used as a temple of worship to a Babylonian god. This entity was the lord of the universe and the creator of the world for the inhabitants of the city of Palmyra.
Also, you can walk through its admirable construction of limited square shape with huge stone walls and imposing columns. Above all, you’ll a sacrificial area in the center of the temple that still survives.
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