Hama, June 10 (SANA) The ancient Syrian city of Apamea has regained international attention following its inclusion on the heritage lists of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), a move highlighting the significance of one of the region’s most important archaeological sites.
The designation is seen as a boost to ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Syria’s cultural heritage, while drawing renewed attention to a city whose history spans more than two millennia.
Located on the eastern bank of the Orontes River about 55 kilometers northwest of Hama, Apamea was founded by Seleucus I Nicator between 300 and 299 BC and named after his Persian wife Apama. The city later became one of the four major urban centers of the Seleucid Empire in Syria.
Marwan Jarban, head of Hama’s Department of Antiquities and Museums, told SANA that Apamea’s strategic location overlooking the al-Ghab Plain helped establish it as a major military, administrative and economic center in the ancient world.
Historical sources indicate the city served as one of the most important centers for breeding horses and war elephants during the Seleucid period before evolving into a thriving commercial hub under Roman rule.
Among Apamea’s most recognizable landmarks is its colonnaded avenue, one of the longest and best-preserved examples of Roman urban planning. Stretching nearly 1,850 meters and lined with more than 1,000 decorated stone columns, the avenue once formed the commercial and social heart of the city.
The site also contains a large Roman theater, public baths, Byzantine churches, palaces and public squares, while archaeological excavations have uncovered mosaics considered among the finest artistic discoveries in the ancient Near East.
Many of these artifacts are preserved at the Apamea Museum, housed in a historic Ottoman caravanserai and displaying collections from the various civilizations that shaped the region.
Archaeologists say the city’s successive Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic layers reflect Syria’s long-standing role as a crossroads of civilizations, trade and cultural exchange.
Like many Syrian heritage sites, Apamea suffered damage from illegal excavations and attacks during recent years, according to Syria’s Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums and international reports.
Despite that damage, heritage officials say the site retains much of its historical value. Its inclusion on the ISESCO lists is expected to strengthen preservation efforts and increase international awareness of Syria’s archaeological legacy.
On May 25, Syria’s Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums announced the registration of nine new heritage sites on ISESCO’s heritage lists, including Apamea, marking the first such listings for Syrian sites in 14 years.
R.A/ABD
