If you are planning a trip to Palmyra, you should know that the town is known for its historic sites and museums. Rasafa is a Roman city with heavy Byzantine influences, while Qasr al-Heir ash-Sharki is a partially excavated Ummayad palace. The food in Palmyra is also worth trying. The chicken wings are famous and you can get them at many restaurants.
Rasafa is a Roman city with heavy Byzantine influence
Palmyra was originally called Tadmor and became part of the Roman empire when Tiberius annexed it in 64 B.C.E. It soon became a major trading city, surpassing the city of Petra. By the time the Romans invaded the city, it had become one of the major Roman cities in the Near East. Its strategic location made it a center for trade with the empire.
Palmyra has many ruins, including several tombs and the ancient theater. Several of these structures were destroyed during the conflict. However, the Syrian government’s forces recaptured the city in March 2017, and immediately started building a military base in the city. Since then, restoration work has begun and notable antiquities have been repaired.
The city was originally an oasis in the northern Syrian Desert. It was ruled by the Romans for about 400 years before being ravaged by the Byzantine Empire. During this time, Palmyra became a major trading post, serving as a bridgehead between eastern and western regions.
In the 1st century CE, the city had a protectorate status in the Roman Empire. It was then incorporated into the Roman Empire as a Roman colony and held that status until 260 CE. In the 260s, the city became de facto an independent city-state. Odainat’s wife and successor, Queen Zenobia, harbored ambitions to expand into other Roman provinces.
In addition to its strong Byzantine influence, Rasafa was an important long-distance trading center. More than 40 inscriptions, which date from 19 to 270 CE, provide evidence of trade activity. These inscriptions honor prominent figures in the caravan trade.
The temple of Baal Shamin was a major site for worship. The site also features the remains of several other temples and residences. A Roman-style theater, and the “Damascus Gate” are also present. The city also had a senate meeting house, known as the Agora. It also has the Triclinium of the Agora, which is a small meeting hall decorated with Greek drawings.
The burial grounds at Palmyra varied with time. Some of them were simple piles of stones, while others contained elaborate terracotta or plaster sarcophagi. Some gravestones included full-length human figures. In the western part of the city, the Valley of Tombs, a wadi that runs alongside the city, contained numerous graves in the Valley of Tombs.
Qasr al-Heir ash-Sharki is a partially excavated Ummayad palace
The two main palaces were built on different floors, and were surrounded by a large enclosure. They were surrounded by two pools, changing rooms, and latrines. The baths were constructed to mimic Roman baths. The water was carried in from twenty miles away. Caliph Hisham wanted the area to have an ideal environment for breeding game.
One of the most notable features of the palace is its shape, which is reminiscent of the Roman castrum. Its outer enclosure is square in plan, with one gate on each side, and two streets dividing the complex into four sections. The Arabs were familiar with this design from several forts in the Syrian desert. While these forts were built to control Bedouin tribes and secure trade routes to the Persian Gulf, the design and construction methods were different. The walls and towers were not a defensive feature, and the four entrances were not proportional to the number of roads leading from the palace.
The Qasr al-Hayr ash-Sharki is 97 kilometers northeast of Palmyra. This Ummayad palace was used as a retreat for the Umayyad caliphate. It was partially excavated and is now a museum.
Archaeologists partially excavated the palace between 1964 and 1972. It contains an arcaded court, seven courtyard houses, and an industrial unit. It also contains a mosque. The mosque was located in the corner of the palace and has three naves. Marble capitals and granite columns decorate the mosque. Archaeologists have also identified seven other courtyards inside the palace enclosure. The courtyards were surrounded by small rooms.
The entire complex contains an enclosed area of four thousand square meters. This area is surrounded by four large gates. Inside, there are a mosque and two olive press rooms. In addition, there are several living units and a large cistern.
Qasr al-Heir ash-Sharki
The historical city of Palmyra is home to a number of attractions. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, and you can also enjoy camel rides and hiking tours. The town is also home to the Palmyra Festival, which features a camel race and folk dancing. It’s also close to the Roman city of Rasafa, which is known for its use of quartz-like crystals in its architecture. For accommodation in Palmyra, there are many options, including luxury hotels and budget accommodations, as well as youth hostels.
Another of Palmyra’s historical sites is the Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, or Eastern Castle. The Arabic word “qasr” means “fortified structure.” This structure was constructed during the Abbasid period and was used as a hunting post. The site remained in use until the fourteenth century.
Palmyra is situated in a semi-arid region. Its strategic location meant that it was on a trading route between the Mediterranean and the East. As a result, the city grew into a thriving city, with enough wealth to challenge the geopolitical forces of the day.
Despite being remote, the archaeological site of Qasr al-Heir al-Sharqi can be visited on a day trip to Palmyra. It is 250 kilometers away from Homs and Deir al-Zur, and most visitors hire private transportation to reach it. Public transport can only get you as far as al-Sukhneh, but you will need a vehicle to drive the remaining forty kilometers.
You can purchase a souvenir from the souqs on the main street. They sell typical Bedouin wares and other souvenirs. Be careful though; shopkeepers are masters at making tourists part with their cash. Make sure to only carry enough money to buy souvenirs and food.
Annie’s sauce on the chicken wings
Annie’s sauce on chicken wings is one of the most famous wing sauces in Palmyra. The sauce, which Walsh calls her “secret recipe,” is a blend of tarragon, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce is incredibly tasty, and is the secret to her wings’ unique flavor. The sauce is not just a secret: the business has been around for over six months, and Walsh estimates that he now serves 200-300 customers a week.
The restaurant has been named #1 Pizza in Palmyra six times! The company’s original concept was to serve the customer first, and make them satisfied. Today, they have 29 locations in the Greater Rochester area, and are synonymous with mouth-watering food and friendly service.
