Baalshamin Temple, Palmyra, Syria. The most striking building in Palmyra is the huge temple of Ba'al one of the most important religious building of the first century AD in the Middle East. It originated as a Hellenistic temple, of which only fragments of stones survives. The central shrine (cella) was added in the early 1st century AD, followed by a large double colonnaded portico in Corinthian style. Destroyed by Islamic State (IS / ISIL / ISIS) militants in August 2015.