Portrait of a female author smiling in warm evening light on a city street.

Clara M.

Palmyra: The Oasis Empire That Defied Rome and the Ancient City ISIS Tried to Erase

Palmyra was a desert city rich enough to break Rome in two — and the ruins ISIS spent eight months trying to erase. One man stood between them.

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Palmyra: The Oasis Empire That Defied Rome and the Ancient City ISIS Tried to Erase

Syria

Crusader castles, assassin fortresses, and ancient cities caught in modern crossfire. Syria's ruins span millennia of civilization and decades of destruction.

Ruins of Civilizations

Masyaf Castle: The Fortress of Assassins in the Syrian Mountains

Explore Masyaf Castle, the impregnable Syrian headquarters of the Assassins. A deep dive into Rashid al-Din Sinan, the "Old Man of the Mountain," and his war with Saladin.

Krak des Chevaliers: The Unconquerable Crusader Fortress of Syria

Explore Krak des Chevaliers, the legendary Crusader fortress in Syria that withstood sieges for centuries. Discover its history, architecture, and the role it played in the Crusades, as well as its enduring legacy as a masterpiece of medieval military engineering.

Portrait of a male author wearing a cap and backpack, smiling with a city skyline at sunset in the background.

Diego A.

Palmyra: The Oasis Empire That Defied Rome and the Ancient City ISIS Tried to Erase

Syria

Masyaf Castle: The Fortress of Assassins in the Syrian Mountains

Krak des Chevaliers: The Unconquerable Crusader Fortress of Syria

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