Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Extraordinary rock needle that supported the drawbridge at Citadel of Saladin.
the Syrian tetrapolis. The others were Antioch, Seleucia Pieria, and Laodicea.
Apamea, like Hama, is located on the Orontes River and, as you approach the town, you
can see the fortified castle straddling a nearby hill. Apparently about 1500 people are still
living there, although the intention is they be moved and the castle restored to form part of
the nation's antiquities. We didn't visit the castle but did notice the enormous amount of
litter across the surrounding hillsides.
From the tourist perspective, the site's claim to fame was the 40 metre wide colonnaded
street known as the Cardo Maximus. This ran for nearly 2 kilometres, flanked by high
columns on either side. The length of the street was unique as were many of the columns,
decorated by a spiral flute.
A group of German archaeologists were conducting some excavations and I recall coming
across similar German teams in Turkey. It seems the Germans are the primary excavators
at many Middle Eastern sites.
