The ancient city of Apamea is located on the right bank of the Orontes River, some 55km northwest of Hama. It overlooks the Ghaab plain. It was built by Seleucus I Nicator, the first Seleucid king, in 300 B.C. who named it after his wife, Afamia. The remains and historical records show that the city flourished with up to 500,000 inhabitants. At the end of the Silk Road it received many distinguished visitors, including Cleopatra.

In the Byzantine times Apamea was a centre of philosophy and it is from Roman and Byzantine times that most of the ruins visible today date from - high walls and the main thoroughfare lined with its unusual twisted columns.

The city has seen its fair share of destruction with earthquakes wreaking great damage. To the west of the city stands Mudiq citadel which once formed a defence line along the Orontes and site of fierce battles with the Crusaders attempting to conquer in the 12th century, Nur al-Din finally surrendering in 1149.

Today people visit to see its mosaics and the famous main street.