In the centre of all the ruins, is the only site which you have to pay to get into, but the R12.00 entrance fee is worth every cent…!!
The magnificent facade of the stage, seen from the top row of the theatre...
The Theatre of Palmyra was only discovered in 1952, buried under a mountain of sand, and since then has been completely restored, and is today often used for musical and dance festivals…
It was built in 200 A.D., and differs from most other Roman theatres in that it was built on ground level.
Looking across the stage...
The semi circle structure is also small by Roman standards, being only 20 metres in diameter. It was also used for wrestling matches between men and animals…
Exiting stage right... This gives you an idea of the size of the stage...
I spent almost an hour in the small amphitheatre, staring down at the huge façade that stands behind the wide stage, imagining the pomp and ceremony that must have gone down here thousands of years ago…
The Gypsy Biker prepares to play to an empty theatre...again...!!
Despite its small size, it is nonetheless an impressive example of a mixture of Roman and distinctly Palmyrean Architecture…
From the low wall behind the top row of stone benches, I could look over the entire site and watched the sun come up and change the colours of the columns form dark to orange and finally into the light sandstone colour that seems to reflect the sun back of their surfaces…
The sun begins to light up the Tetrapylons and the Archway of the Damascus Gate...
One thing that I had noticed about the Palmyra Ruins, was that in comparison to the Aleppo Citadel, the entire area here was scrupulously clean…!! There was hardly any litter about, and this despite the fact there were no dustbins in evidence anywhere…
High time a delegation from the Antiquities Department in Aleppo paid a visit here, and took note of this…!!
The soaring columns of the Portico...
I watched a guy strolling through the ruins with a spade and large plastic bag, collecting all the camel dung, which I believe served two purposes… It kept the area clean, and the dung served as “firewood”…
A win-win situation for both the ruins and the Bedouin…
Last look back as the performance ends...
Aerial view of the Theatre at Palmyra... Taken of a postcard, if you must know...!!
©GBWT 2010
By far my favourite post in ages – this place is amazing. It appears to be immaculately restored/preserved and makes one stare in amazement. How you explain the absence of litter is beyond me – must be a type of mindset ?
Awesome !!!
Great blog! I was trying to find out a little bit more about the theatre complex in Palmyra and your description and excellent photos really gave a feel for what it’s like there – many thanks.
I really want to go down there now , Ronnie ! Great pics !!
But the idiot they have now as President makes it impossible.
My time will come…