I've heard about Palmyra not only because it is a Syrian UNESCO site but mostly because it was all over the news when the extremist group ISIL took control of Palmyra and destroyed large parts of the ancient city, ten years ago. These two temples, as seen on the cards, don't exist anymore, they've both been partially destroyed. The city was recaptured by the Syrian Free Army, after the fall of the Assad government in December 2024 and hopefully something will be done to preserve what is left.
I've also found the 1st of these cards in Brescia. It was written and stamped from Latakia, the principal port city of Syria, in 1989.
An oasis in the Syrian desert, north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. - in: https://whc.unesco.org
The structure of the Baalshamin temple dates to the Roman era. It was erected in the first century AD and further enlarged by Roman emperor Hadrian. The temple is one of the most important and best preserved buildings in Palmyra.
The building was blown up in August 2015. Its cella, or inner area, was severely damaged, and followed by the collapse of the surrounding columns. - in: https://whc.unesco.org
The tetrapylon was a monument marking a major road intersection along the colonnaded street of Palmyra. It was a testimony to the grandeur of the era around 270 AD, during which Queen Zenobia had reached the height of her power. - in: https://whc.unesco.org
ISIL also destroyed the Tetrapylon. Only four pillars of the original 16 still standing, while the other 12 have been heavily damaged and are scattered around the base of the monument.
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