Things to see and do Apamee - Afamia

The large, almost square courtyard of the khan serves long galleries that house a collection of mosaics, stelas and sarcophagi of Apamea and its region. Built by the Ottomans, this caravanserai served as accommodation for pilgrims on the road to Mecca. Among the hosting steps that remain in Syria, it is certainly the most impressive. The chimneys of the galleries are there to remind you of the severity of winter. The courtyard also houses a large arlon collection.

Past the door door, a visit will be carried out clockwise. By entering left in the first gallery, you will discover two beautiful mosaics among the beautiful collection of the museum.

Socrates and the sages (basement of the eastern Cathedral, circa 362 m. ). Socrates, in the centre, dominates an assembly of six other important but unidentified characters. This mosaic reveals the presence in Apamea of a traditional school of néoplatonicienne philosophy.

The judgment of the Néréïdes (basement of the Cathedral of the East, approx. ). The scene depicts a beauty contest between Néréïdes and Thétis on the one hand, Cassiopeia on the other. Cassiopeia, naked, on the far right, wins the competition. She receives the crown from a victory. Each character is légendé in Greek.

The mosaics come from the site of Huarte, 15 km north of Apamea. See in this part, the long panel which consists of two distinct scenes. Three compositions depicting two lions and a lion fighting their prey, and a man leading two mules with a stretcher.