Palmyra - تدمر

Palmyra (Tadmor in Arabic) is in the heart of Syrian Desert, and is often described as the bride of the desert.














Its magnificent remains tell of a heroic history during the reign of Queen Zenobia.
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 Adrianapalmyra.
The Severus emperors then, who were originally Syrian, came to rule Palmyra, they treated its people extremely well. Emperor Caracalla declared it a Roman colony, which made it a luxurious one: new constructions, streets, arches, temples and statues were built, making Palmyra one of the greatest cities of Roman empire.
When conflict between Persia and Rome reached its crisis, Rome resorted to ruler of Palmyra for help. This ruler, Auzaina, managed to withstand Persian armies, which led Romans to call him leader of East. But he was soon assassinated in mysterious circumstances, and his second wife, Queen Zenobia, a woman renowned for her exceptionally strong character, took power.
Zenobia ruled Palmyra in a way that astonished both West and East. She was exceptionally intelligent and attractive. She was a gifted linguist, an eloquent speaker of Palmyrian, Greek and Egyptian. Zenobia had a wide knowledge of politics, and in her court, she had many philosophers, scholars and theologians.
Queen Zenobia was soon fired by ambition of getting rid of Roman domination. In 268, during reign of Emperor Aurelian, she decided to conquer all of Rome's territories. He was then very much engaged in internal conflicts as well as external wars. This enabled her to take over whole Syria, conquer Egypt and send armies to Asia Minor, gaining control thereby of all land and sea ways to Far East. She took the title of August, which was only used by emperor of Rome, and she had money coined with her and her son's likeness upon it, without that of Rome emperor.
However, Emperor Aurelian took quick action in settling his internal disputes, and started to plan his revenge on Queen Zenobia. He formed a new army for this purpose, which proceeded through Turkey to conquer Zenobia's army in their first defensive position in Homs. It besieged Palmyra until it fell in 274. Queen Zenobia was defeated and taken captive to Rome, fettered in chains of gold where she poisoned herself.
The destiny of the great kingdom of Palmyra was no better than that of its queen; the city fell prey to looting and destruction. Archaeologists are still working on excavations there in order to uncover queen's palace, which was destroyed by Romans and replaced by a military camp.
Queen Zenobia's ambitious dream is still embodied in the magnificent remains of what she built. Palmyra ruins, which covers an area of 6 square kilometers, requires a full day in order to form an adequate idea of the beauty of the remaining architecture such as Baal-Shamin Temple, Bel Temple, Arch of Triumph, the Amphitheater, the Baths, the Straight Street, the Congress Council and the Cemeteries.

Souq Al Hamidiyeh (Damascus - دمشق)

The most well known shopping centre in Syria and the most popular. It follows a straight line from the west ,where Bab al-Nasr used to be, to the Omayyad Mosque. It dates back to 1863, to the rule of the Ottaman Sultan Abdul-Hamid, after whom the souq was called. What appears to be small white lights on the roof like stars are actually bullet holes from the French when Syria was one of their colonies.

Dowar El Mawt (Aleppo - حلب)

This famous roundabout in Aleppo is well known for the number of accidents that have happened here in the past which is where it gets its name from meaning 'the roundabout of death' in Arabic. It has been enlargened as it turned out the small size of the roundabout was responsible for the accidents and it proved successful and today, as you can see in the picture, it has been decorated with a fountain and plants. Now you also find modern, large restaurants and housing all around.

Dowar El Mawt:

Machqita

Machqita:

Khalid Ibn Al-Walid Mosque (Homs - حمص)

The Khaled Ibn Al-Walid Mosque takes its name from the Arab Muslim leader Khaled Bin Al-Walid who lived in Homs for the last seven years of his life. This building is distinguished by its metal dome which reflects sunshine. It is also famous for its two high minarets and narrow galleries built with black and white stones in a horizontal manner.

Nouria water wheel (Hama - حماه)

Hama is famous for its water wheel, Nouria, which is the World's largest as lies on the Orontes River.

Nouria water wheel:


















Nouria water wheel at night:

Hama - حماه

The Hama province, on the Orontes River.Hama is the centre of an agricultural area that produces cereals, grain, fruit, vegetables; as well as cotton, wool and silk. Industries include cotton textiles, tanning and production of cement.Hama is one of the most beautiful cities in Syria, and famous for its water wheels, nouria. The nourias no longer serve their original purpose of providing water for drinking and irrigation. But they are well kept by the local authorities, and a great tourist attraction. The nourias measure between 10 and 22 metre in diametre, are built from wood starting in the 14th century.

Tartus - طرطوس

The Tartus province, on the coast facing the Mediterranean Sea, and opposite Arwad Island about 3 km offshore.Tartus thrives from being a fishing port, and the largest city and centre of a rich agricultural region. Today, Tartus is the second largest port of Syria next to Lattakia. The city has also seen substantial growth from benefits of its proximity to coastal Lebanon, both trough trade and also the heavy military presence in Lebanon.Among the most important sights of Tartus are the Cathedral of Our Lade of Tortosa from the 13th century, and the Castle of the Templars of late 12th to 13th century.

Homs - حمص

Homs has a strategic position, facing the only natural gateway between the Mediterranean coast and the densely populated interior (with access to Aleppo to the north and Damascus to the south).The main product of Homs is silk. Other important products include jewelry, belts and cloaks. Industries include an oil refinery, production of fertilizers, vegetable oil, refined sugar. The surrounding area produces wheat, corn, millet, cotton, fruits and vegetables, for which Homs is the centre of trade.Homs has a university that opened in 1979, a very important military academy, as well as an agricultural research station.

Homs City:

Public park in Homs (these sceneries are common in Syria's public parks and city centres):

Krak De Chevalier (Homs - حمص)

(French-Arabic: Castle of the Knights), greatest fortress built in Syria, one of the most notable surviving examples of medieval military architecture. Built at Qal'at al-Hisn, Syria, near the northern border of present-day Lebanon, Krak occupied the site of an earlier Muslim stronghold.