Landmarks including the ancient city of Palmyra and the medieval Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers remain scarred by years of conflict, but local tourists are returning to the sites, and conservationists hope their historical and cultural significance will eventually draw international visitors back.

Syria’s renowned landmarks, such as the ancient city of Palmyra and the medieval castle of Crac des Chevaliers, still bear the scars of nearly 14 years of war. Conservators, however, are optimistic that their historical and cultural significance will eventually draw international visitors back,

Landmarks like the ancient city of Palmyra and the medieval Crac des Chevaliers castle are already attracting local tourists

Conservationists hope the historical and cultural significance of landmarks like the ancient city of Palmyra and the medieval Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers will draw international visitors ba

Palmyra, SANA- One of Syria’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites, Palmyra was once a key hub to the ancient Silk Road network linking the Roman and Parthian empires to Asia. Located in the Syrian desert, it is renowned for its 2,000-year-old Roman-era ruins. It is now marked by shattered columns and damaged temples.

Experts are returning to Syria’s war-ravaged heritage sites, hoping to lay the groundwork for restoring them and reviving tourism, which they say could provide a much-needed boost to the country’s decimated economy after nearly 14 years of war.