Palmyra and The Arch of Triumph

The Arch of Triumph is revealed

Sometimes London gives you a small glimpse into another world and another culture, from elegant jewels in the Far East to sunken treasures in Egypt. But yesterday I got a chance to see something I thought had been destroyed forever, Palmyra’s Arch of Triumph has been recreated and can now be seen in Trafalgar Square.

The sun made a rare appearance, as Boris Johnson pulled the layer of plastic back revealing the Palmyra Arch of Triumph, to thousands of eager spectators. Throughout the day more people came to see the Syrian landmark, each one snapping pictures and filming this rare glimpse into a country that has been ripped apart by a war, that looks as though it will continue long into the future.

Isis destroyed the Arch of Triumph in the year 2010, after they took over the city of Palmyra. After the terrorist group fled, they left a burning wreckage behind, with around 20% of the monuments destroyed. But, using 3D technology and pictures of the original landmark, the Arch of Triumph has been replicated.

“Palmyra is the most beautiful place in the world,” said Mohamad, a refugee who spent his childhood in Palmyra, and is now living in Germany. “It was an amazing place to grow up.”

If you’re desperate to see the arch then you had better go sooner rather than later, as it will be taken back to Palmyra next year and placed as close as possible to its original location. As if it were never destroyed.