Great Colonnade and Roman City
Walk the Great Colonnade of Palmyra, the magnificent colonnaded street that was the main axis of the ancient city, where the surviving columns create a processional way through the desert city that was once one of the wealthiest trading centers in the Roman world.
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Monumental Arch
See the famous Monumental Arch of Palmyra at the bend in the colonnaded street, the ornate triple gateway that connected the main colonnade to the approach to the Temple of Bel, the reconstructed arch a landmark of ancient Palmyra partially rebuilt before the ISIS period.
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Main Colonnade
Walk the main colonnade of Palmyra where the surviving columns on both sides of the ancient street create one of the most atmospheric archaeological experiences in the Middle East, the ancient shopping street lined with bracket corbels that once held portrait statues.
- 3
Tetrapylon
See the Tetrapylon at the midpoint of the colonnade, the group of four pedestal platforms each with four pink Aswan granite columns marking the intersection of the main street, the landmark reconstructed before the war using some ancient stones and modern reproductions.
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Theatre
Visit the Roman theatre of Palmyra adjacent to the colonnade where the carved stone seating and stage building have been partially restored and where cultural performances are being revived as part of the post-war recovery of the ancient city.
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Agora
Find the Agora of Palmyra near the theatre where the commercial and civic functions of the ancient city were conducted, the assembly hall and market area of a city that grew wealthy from the caravan trade between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia.
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Senate Building
See the Senate building of Palmyra where the city council conducted the civic affairs of this self-governing desert trading city, the political institutions of Roman Palmyra reflecting its unusual status as a prosperous semi-autonomous trading metropolis.