They say ISIS has entered the ancient town of Palmyra (Tadmor) in Syria. The Roman ruins there are extensive and dramatic - a well-preserved town and temple down below, a brooding citadel above, and a chain of crumbling watchtowers [edited - they're tombs] stretching into the desert. It's in the middle of nowhere now, but it was once a hub of trade and battle. If you've heard of the warrior queen Zenobia from the third century, Palmyra was her kingdom.
Our sweet ride from Damascus to Palmyra - a "Happy Jerney" bus. It's about a five-hour drive through some seriously empty desert.
Empty, except for the Bagdad Cafe. There are some pit toilets out back and Ugarit Cola and Jexy for sale in a small indoor space.
The view from the citadel, looking down at the ruins of the city. I told you they were extensive! The cardo maximus at Palmyra is glorious to behold.
Tombs.
Sunset at the citadel.
From the ruins, looking up at the citadel.
Amphitheater. (Photo credit my dad.)
Ruins/citadel by day. (Photo credit my dad.)
Bedu woman in Palmyra (photo credit my dad).
Here are some photos of Palmyra from happier days when we were there in 2004 and 2005.
The cardo maximus.
I love the activity of this photo - these guys peddled horse and camel rides to tourists, and I think in this photo they were just messing around racing each other. (Photo credit my dad.)
I hope the people and treasures in Palmyra are keeping safe tonight.