Although Apamea, Syria, was founded by the Seleucids at the beginning of the third century BC, most of what remains today is the Roman cardo maximus—the city's main thoroughfare. It's a stunning sight: Rows of columns line both sides of the paved street for more than 1 mi/1.5 km, surrounded by green fields.
To the west of the colonnaded street and housed in an Ottoman caravansary, a museum displays mosaics and statuary from Apamea and the surrounding area. Just north of the museum is a 13th-century hilltop fortress, Qalaat al Mudiq.
Located 165 mi/265 km north of Damascus, Apamea is best seen as a day trip from Hama.
Note: The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 and ended in 2024, caused tremendous destruction throughout the country. Many historical landmarks and cultural sites were severely damaged or destroyed. Before planning a trip to Syria, consult your country's travel advisory agency for information about safety and infrastructure recovery in the areas you wish to visit.
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