Russian tourists: The ancient city of Palmyra has stood firmly in front of all invaders throughout history

Homs, (ST)- A Russian tourist group has recently visited the ancient city of Palmyra and saw its archaeological sites and the damage caused to the historical landmarks as a result of the terrorist attacks targeting the deep-rooted civilization of this city.       

Mikhail, who works in a Russian travel and tourism company, said: “I was very happy to visit the historical city of Palmyra, but what the terrorist organization has done in this city is terrible for humanity and the whole world,”, adding that it was even more terrible when the terrorists killed archaeologist Khalid al-Assaad, who devoted his life to the service of human culture and history.

Michael noted that since he was in the first school stage, he used to visit with his colleagues the museums and they have a comprehensive idea about the city of Palmyra and its great civilization, as the city is large and listed on the World Heritage List.

For his part, Viktor, a former wrestling coach in Russia, said that his visit to the ancient city of Palmyra was a long-awaited opportunity that made him take thousands of documentaries for the architectural monuments of the city that still firmly steadfast despite all the barbaric acts that it has been subjected to by the enemies of civilization and human culture. 

Victor stressed that this city has held out throughout history in front of all invaders because it rejects the culture of darkness and always seeks light and it will rise again just like the Phoenix . 

It is worth mentioning that before the restoration of the city by the Syrian Arab Army on July 3, 2017, the ancient city was subjected to a series of attacks committed by the terrorists “Da’esh” where they destroyed the Triumph Arch, the Temple of Belle in addition to eight statues that were found in the city graveyard . They turned the national museum of Palmyra into a prison and the so-called “Sharia court” and committed the murder of the archaeologist and son of Palmyra Khalid al-Assaad, which was condemned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The ancient city of Palmyra is one of the oldest historical cities in the world, which is spread over a large area and has been listed since 1980 on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of historic places protected internationally.

Amal Farhat