Syrian Air

  Ministry of Tourism

      Palmyra City

Palmyra is One of the greatest cities of antiquity; it is situated in the Syrian desert, halfway between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates. Sometimes called the Queen of the Desert. According to tradition, it was founded by Solomon, king of Israel. In the Bible it is called Tadmur . The Oasis, as it is sometimes called, is located near a hot-water spring called Afqa, which make it an ideal halt for caravans moving between Iraq and Al-Sham (present day Syria, Lebanon, Holy Land and Jordan), trading in silk from China to the Mediterranean. This strategic location made Palmyra prosper in a well-established kingdom from the 2nd century BC. After Romans conquered Syria, Palmyra flourished and became known as city of palm-trees. When Emperor Adrian visited Palmyra, he declared it a free city; in return, people of Palmyra gratefully called their city Adriana Palmyra. The Temple of Bel on the eastern edge of the site has a huge courtyard, which is 200 meters square. The Great Colonnade lined with columns, was once the city’s main street. The Monumental Arch at one end of the colonnade has been partially restored. The Theatre, Market Place and Banqueting Hall are located on the southern side of the colonnaded street. Other buildings, such as baths and temples are scattered on either side of the main street. Qalaat ibn Ma'an: Perched on the highest hill overlooking Palmrya and the oasis is the castle of Fakhr ud-Din ibn Ma'ani. The castle was probably built in the 13th century by the mamelukes. Although by then the city was long since dead, this was a key strategic position an the trading routes and guarded a reliable water supply, making it well worth defending. The castle takes its name from a Druze emir who 'liberated' much of Lebanon and Syria from Ottoman rule in the first half of the 17th century. Qasr al-Hir al-Sharqi: 110 km north-east of Palmyra, this palace was built by the Caliph Hisham in 628, it contains a palace-residence for the caliph and for the garrisons. There is a small mosque built in the style of the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus, there is a bath with hot, warm and cold running water. This is the oldest Omayyad bath. The palace is surrounded by a wide garden.