Temple of Bel, Palmyra

Name: Temple of Bel
Address: Palmyra, Syria

#4 among attractions in Palmyra

Temple

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Facts and practical information

The Temple of Bel, sometimes also referred to as the "Temple of Baal", was an ancient temple located in Palmyra, Syria. The temple, consecrated to the Mesopotamian god Bel, worshipped at Palmyra in triad with the lunar god Aglibol and the sun god Yarhibol, formed the center of religious life in Palmyra and was dedicated in AD 32. The temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire in a campaign against the temples of the East made by Maternus Cynegius, Praetorian Prefect of Oriens, between 25 May 385 to 19 March 388. Its ruins were considered among the best preserved at Palmyra, until they were further destroyed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in August 2015. The arched main entrance into the temple is still intact, as well as its exterior walls and fortified gate. ()

Local name: معبد بل Built: 32 A.D.Height: 49 ftCoordinates: 34°32'50"N, 38°16'26"E

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Palmyra Syria

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Temple of Bel – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Roman Theatre at Palmyra, Valley of the Tombs, Palmyra Castle, Camp of Diocletian.

~1950 ftNW
Archaeological site
Roman Theatre at Palmyra, Palmyra
10 min walk • The Roman Theatre at Palmyra is a historical gem nestled in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria. This majestic structure, built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, is a testament to the city's rich cultural past and significance along the Silk...
1.3 miW
Cemetery
Valley of the Tombs, Palmyra
33 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, the Valley of the Tombs stands as a timeless testament to the grandeur of a civilization long past. This remarkable necropolis, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique glimpse into the burial...
1.4 miNW
Forts and castles
Palmyra Castle, Palmyra
37 min walk • Palmyra Castle, also known as Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle or Tadmur Castle, is a castle overlooking Palmyra in the province of Homs, Syria.
0.9 miNW
Forts and castles
Camp of Diocletian, Palmyra
23 min walk • The Camp of Diocletian was a Roman military complex, or castra, built in the ancient city of Palmyra in the Syrian Desert. The complex was built under the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the late third-century CE and served as the military headquarters for the Legio I Illyricorum.
0.9 miNW
Monuments and statues
Lion of Al-lāt, Palmyra
22 min walk • The Lion of Al-lāt is an ancient statue that adorned the Temple of Al-Lat in Palmyra, Syria. On 27 June 2015, it was severely damaged by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant after it had captured Palmyra.
0.5 miNW
Street
Great Colonnade at Palmyra, Palmyra
14 min walk • The Great Colonnade at Palmyra was the main colonnaded avenue in the ancient city of Palmyra in the Syrian Desert. The colonnade was built in several stages during the second and third century CE and stretched for more than a kilometer.
~1290 ftNW
Arch
Monumental Arch of Palmyra, Palmyra
7 min walk • The Monumental Arch, also called the Arch of Triumph or the Arch of Septimius Severus, was a Roman ornamental archway in Palmyra, Syria. It was built in the 3rd century during the reign of emperor Septimius Severus. Its ruins later became one of the main attractions of Palmyra until it was officially destroyed by the ISIS in 2015.
0.5 miNW
Ruins
Baalshamin, Palmyra
13 min walk • Baalshamin, also called Baal Shamem and Baal Shamaim, was a Northwest Semitic god and a title applied to different gods at different places or times in ancient Middle Eastern inscriptions, especially in Canaan/Phoenicia and Syria. The title was most often applied to Hadad, who is also often titled just Ba‘al.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Temple of Bel?

Nearby attractions include Monumental Arch of Palmyra, Palmyra (7 min walk), Roman Theatre at Palmyra, Palmyra (10 min walk), Baalshamin, Palmyra (13 min walk), Great Colonnade at Palmyra, Palmyra (14 min walk).