Valley of the Tombs, Palmyra

Name: Valley of the Tombs
Address: Palmyra, Syria

#2 among attractions in Palmyra

Cemetery

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Facts and practical information

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 practices and architectural prowess of the Palmyrenes dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

The Valley of the Tombs is located just northwest of Palmyra's ancient city ruins and is an integral part of the city's rich historical landscape. It is renowned for its striking funerary monuments, including more than 50 grand burial towers that rise majestically against the desert skyline. These multi-story towers, which could house up to hundreds of sarcophagi, were reserved for the elite families of Palmyra, showcasing intricate carvings and elaborate architectural details.

Visitors to the Valley can explore the remnants of these once-magnificent structures and marvel at the craftsmanship of the Palmyrene stonemasons. The tombs are adorned with a blend of Greco-Roman artistry and Persian influences, reflecting the city's position as a cultural crossroads in antiquity.

Coordinates: 34°33'12"N, 38°15'11"E

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Palmyra Syria

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Day trips

Valley of the Tombs – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Roman Theatre at Palmyra, Palmyra Castle, Temple of Bel, Camp of Diocletian.

0.9 miE
Archaeological site
Roman Theatre at Palmyra, Palmyra
24 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...
0.7 miN
Forts and castles
Palmyra Castle, Palmyra
18 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.
1.3 miE
Temple
Temple of Bel, Palmyra
33 min walk • 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.
0.5 miE
Forts and castles
Camp of Diocletian, Palmyra
13 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.
0.5 miE
Monuments and statues
Lion of Al-lāt, Palmyra
12 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.
0.8 miE
Street
Great Colonnade at Palmyra, Palmyra
20 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.
1.1 miE
Arch
Monumental Arch of Palmyra, Palmyra
27 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.
1 miE
Ruins
Baalshamin, Palmyra
25 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 Valley of the Tombs?

Nearby attractions include Lion of Al-lāt, Palmyra (12 min walk), Camp of Diocletian, Palmyra (13 min walk), Palmyra Castle, Palmyra (18 min walk), Great Colonnade at Palmyra, Palmyra (20 min walk).