First phase of the project to restore the façade of the ancient theater of Palmyra

The General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, in cooperation with the Russian Volunteer Expeditionary Crops have started the first phase of a project to restore the façade of the ancient theatre of Palmyra, which was destroyed in “ISIS” terrorist attacks before its defeat in this area.

Assistant Director of Antiquities and Museums, Director of Excavations and Archaeological Studies, Dr. Hummam Saad, affirmed in a statement to  SANA reporter that this stage includes documentation work according to the current status of the collapsed stones and managing the rubble at the site, indicating that a file will be made for its stone, plans and a three-dimensional model of the entire theater and its architectural details will be completed, with the aim of completing a virtual model of the facade in order to know the number of destroyed and intact stones that can be reused compared to the archive of old photos of the theater.

In his turn, the Russian archeological expert, Dr. Taymor Karmov, said in a similar statement: the Palmyra theatre is considered one of the most important historical monuments. We started today the required restoration works for the façade of this ancient theatre, which was destroyed by the enemies of human culture.

Karmov added that Russian presented a musical show on this stage after the city was liberated from the terrorists, it was like a celebration of victory over the terrorists who destroyed the stage, and today we are continuing the path of victory despite of all circumstances and sanctions imposed on Syria to rescue the past for the future. Certainly we will celebrate a new musical show when the restoration work is completed at the end of this year.

The Director of Historical Buildings and Archaeological Documentation at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, Eng. Ahmed Dali, said that the project to restore the Palmyra theater is the third project to be implemented in the city of Palmyra after the restoration of the historic spring of Afqa, as well as the completion of stages in the project to restore the Triumphal Arch, pointing out that the restoration of the theater is of special importance because this site plays a role in the cultural and social life of the city of Palmyra, which contributes to the restoration of its cultural and artistic activities.

Souha Suleiman