The ancient oasis city of Palmyra in Syria was once one of the most important trading centres of the ancient world. Caravans from Persia, China and the Mediterranean crossed here on the legendary Silk Road, making Palmyra a cultural and economic centre between the Orient and the Occident. The photo shows the monumental colonnaded street complex, which stretched for almost a kilometre and was once lined with temples, market halls and baths. Typical of Palmyra is the mixture of Roman architecture and Middle Eastern building tradition, visible in the Corinthian capitals and the warm sandstone colours. In the background rises Fakhr-al-Din Castle, also known as the "Arabian Fortress", whose strategic location high above the desert provides a sweeping view over the ancient city. The interplay of ruins, desert landscape and clear skies conveys an impressive impression of the former grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the severe damage in recent years, Palmyra remains a symbol of humanity's cultural heritage - and of the fragility of historical treasures.
I have brought back many photo impressions from my travels. So that you can also enjoy the impressive pictures, I offer selected photos here that can be printed on canvas, as posters, on acrylic glass and even more media. For more travel inspiration, visit my website.. Read more…