Temple of Bel in Palmyra

Dominating the architectural scene of the Palmyrene oasis, the Temple of Bel, whose construction began in 32 AD and was completed in the 2nd century, featured a monumental Corinthian façade and a vast courtyard surrounded by an astrolabe-style colonnaded portico blending Greek influences with Nabataean desert traditions. Dedicated by local merchants to the god Bel (Lord of the Sky), it became both a religious and economic hub, hosting royal clan rituals and the signing of commercial contracts. In the 5th century, the Byzantines converted it into a cathedral, and later, during the Ayyubid period, it was transformed into a fortress housing a small mosque.