Temple of Bel
The Baaltempel of Palmyra is located in the south of the ancient Roman city and is the Levantine deity Baal dedicated.
History
The temple was one of the most important religious buildings in the first century AD in the Middle East. The oldest part dates from the Hellenistic period, but only stones in the outer walls in the northeast and southwest testify to this. 32 BC, the shrine, the real sanctuary was built. Between 80 and 120 AD, the exterior was built with sacrificial altar and basin. The entire temple complex is created square. The only portal is located on the west side. The temple has a side length of 200 m. Inside the District of colonnades is framed with Corinthian capitals. There was a small entrance for the sacrificial animals, a tunnel under the wall. The outer wall was eleven feet high.
Special features of the design
The temple is designed after a Roman model, but has some peculiarities. Thus, the input is not the Holy of Holies in the exact center. In addition, the entrance on the long side and not, as in Roman temples is common on the narrow side. In addition, the Baal temple has windows. The roof was completely surrounded by Arab battlements. These features show that Palmyra has preserved its unique architecture part. The Holy of Holies was located exactly in the center of the court. The portal of the temple and the access to the sanctum lay on a line. Both, however, were not in the middle of the wall, but slightly offset. The Holy of Holies had a terraced flat roof and corner turrets. The roof could be entered via two staircases. This suggests that Baal was worshiped from the roof. This makes sense, since Baal - depending on the region - could also take trains a weather god.
The whole temple was decorated with reliefs. Good to see is still the herringbone pattern, which graced the cult niches inside the temple. As was the entrance to the temple on the long side, has the sanctum of the temple not only one but two cult niches. In both there were earlier statues. The ceiling of the north niche was decorated with designs from the Palmyrene mythology. Researchers recognized images of deities, corresponding to the seven days of the week or could symbolize the solar system. The exact motives could not yet be clarified. A winged creature with stars could represent Baal. The design symbolizes that the winged beings occupies a special position. The Südnische was definitely the main god Baal. She was decorated by a rosette, which symbolizes the sun. To the Südnische around, there are numerous stars. The niche is now a dark color, as Bedouins use in later times the temple as a resting place and have fire kindled in the niche. The temple had magnificent reliefs. Large blocks of stone, which are now on display in front of the temple, testify to this. Shown are among other gods and caravan scenes.