Apamea (Afamia)

Overview

Founded by Seleucus I around 300 BCE, Apamea housed a Roman population of half a million and is dominated by its 1.85-kilometre colonnaded Cardo, the longest in the ancient world.

Significance

One of the most ambitious surviving Roman urban plans.

Notable Features

• 01Great Colonnaded Avenue
• 02Roman theatre (one of the largest in the empire)
• 03Mosaic discoveries (now in Apamea Museum)
• 04Roman & Byzantine architecture
• 05Apamea citadel and Ottoman caravanserai

Major Attractions

• 01

  Great Colonnaded Cardo

  The 1.85 km columned avenue with spirally fluted shafts unique to Apamea — among the most extensive Roman streetscapes anywhere.

• 02

  Roman Theatre

  One of the largest theatres in the Roman empire (around 20,000 seats) — partially excavated.

• 03

  Apamea Museum

  Housed in an Ottoman caravanserai at the foot of the citadel, holding the celebrated mosaics rescued from the residential quarters.

• 04

  Citadel of Qal'at al-Madiq

  Mamluk and Ayyubid fortress on the acropolis tell, looking down over the colonnade.

Visitor Tips

• ›Walk the full length of the cardo at sunrise or sunset — the spirally fluted columns glow.
• ›Apamea has suffered substantial looting since 2011 — keep to the main paths and report anything suspicious to the site guard.
• ›Combine with Hama and the Dead Cities for a 2-day northern itinerary.

What to Eat Nearby

• Hama specialities

  Halawet el-jibn and shish barak in Hama, an hour south.

• Olive picnic

  Buy bread, olives, and labneh in Hama and picnic among the columns.

Where to Stay

• Hama base

  Recommended

  Hama (1 hr) is the practical base — the Apamee Cham Palace and central mid-range hotels are the main options.