Temple of Baalshamin

The Temple of Baalshamin is a destroyed Roman sanctuary from the 2nd century located in Tadmur within the archaeological site of Palmyra. Its facade rested on six columns, while two walled courtyards with colonnades on the eastern and western sides enclosed the central shrine.

The sanctuary was built in 131 through the patronage of Malê, son of Yarhai, and developed into a central religious focus during Roman rule. The complex remained standing for nearly two millennia until its destruction by armed groups in 2015.

This sanctuary served as a major worship site for Baalshamin, the rain god whose cult drew from both Phoenician and Aramaic traditions. Worshippers gathered in the courtyards for rituals, maintaining ties between the Syrian countryside and broader religious currents of the region.

The site is located in Tadmur and can be reached only through organized archaeological visits, as the area has been heavily damaged. Visitors should be aware that access is now difficult and often depends on local security conditions.

The entrance featured a carved threshold showing an eagle with outstretched wings, surrounded by smaller eagles and busts of the deities Aglibol and Malakbel. This motif expressed the link between celestial powers and the threshold of the shrine.

Location: Tadmur

Location: Homs Governorate

Made from material: stone

Part of: Palmyra

GPS coordinates: 34.55330,38.27047

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:10