Syria Today | Largest church in Syria unearthed

Largest church in Syria unearthed

Archaeologists discovered the remnants of an 8th-century church in Palmyra on November 13, the largest church discovered in Syria to date.

The church, estimated to be 1,200 years old, was uncovered by a joint Syrian-Polish archaeological team during excavations in the ancient city of Palmyra, 200km northeast of Damascus.

With a base measuring 47 metres by 27 metres, the church is the largest unearthed during excavations in Syria, Palmyra Antiquities and Museums Department head Walid al-Assaad said. The church’s columns are estimated to be six metres tall, with the height of the wooden ceiling roughly 15 metres. A small amphitheatre was also discovered in the church’s courtyard, where archaeologists say Christian rituals were practiced.

“In the northern and southern parts of the church there are two rooms that are believed to have been used for baptisms, religious ceremonies, prayers and other rituals,” Assaad said.

The Polish team has been carrying out excavations in Palmyra since 1958.