IN PICTURES: Palmyra before Islamic State destruction

Temple of Baal, Palmyra, photographed before the Syrian civil war. IS attempted to destroy the temple this week, according to reports (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra World Heritage site photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra Roman-era temple photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

A Roman capital in World Heritage site Palmyra, photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

The main Roman thoroughfare in Palmyra photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra Roman ruins photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Palmyra photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

Roman street in Palmyra, photographed before the Syrian civil war (Jerzy Wierzbicki)

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