The Milky Way rises over the 5th century basilica in Syria - in pictures

The cathedral is situated in Qalb Lozeh village in the north-western Idlib province

The Milky Way rises on July 29, 2022, above the 5th century basilica of Syria's Qalb Lozeh village in the northwestern Idlib province. - The ancient lime-stone cathedral is the architectural forerunner of France's famed Notre Dame cathedral. The abandoned church is widely hailed as Syria’s finest example of Byzantine-era architecture and is considered to have inspired Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals in Europe, including the Paris landmark. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP)

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

A starry night over the 5th century basilica in Qalb Lozeh in Syria’s north-western Idlib province. The Byzantine church inspired European cathedrals including Notre Dame in Paris. All photos by AFP

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