Before and after pictures of Palmyra show the scale of destruction of the ancient Syrian city by Islamist fighters during its 10-month occupation.

Images taken after Bashar al-Assad's troops recaptured the city from Isis reveal the large swathes of destruction at the Unesco World Heritage site.

But much of the city's ancient ruins and important archeological sites are said to have remained intact.

The Agora and the Roman theatre, where Isis staged executions, appear to have survived the Islamist group's occupation.

Syria's antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim considered the ancient city's landscape was overall "in good shape", the AFP reported.

Mr Abdulkarim added authorities had been "expecting the worst".

The Arc of Triumph prior to being destroyed by Isis in October 2015 and the remains of the iconic structure after government troops recaptured the ancient city (AFP/Getty)

The iconic Temple of Bel prior to being blown up by Isis in September 2015 and the remains of the temple after Syrian troops recaptured the ancient site (AFP/Getty)

The once vibrant museum is now full of empty displays after the destruction of artefacts

There was global outcry when Isis seized Palmyra in May 2015 and set out to decimate the treasures of its past glory.

In September last year, shocking images were released of the destruction wrought by Isis upon Palmyra's most treasured artefacts, including the 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel and the Arch of Triumph, which were left in ruins.

The Islamist group believed the monuments were idolatrous.

Syrian soldiers entering the site were relieved to find some of Palmyra's key historical monuments still standing.

Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Show all 10 1 /10 Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Graffiti on the ancient stones reads in Arabic ‘Shooting without the permission of the chief is prohibited’ Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Damaged artefacts lay inside the museum of the historic city of Palmyra Reuters Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Syrian pro-government forces rest by Palmyra Citadel as they take control of the city from the hands of Isis Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces The UNESCO world heritage site appears surprisingly intact after its recapture from the militant group Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Many had feared the ancient city would be destroyed following its capture by Isis in May Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Smoke billows from the Palmyra Citadel as Assad’s forces drive the Jihadist group from the city Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Palmyra is one of the ‘most important cultural centers of the world’ Unesco says Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces Pro-government forces play football in the streets following the recapture of the city Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces The extent of the destruction caused by Isis’ 10 month occupation of the city has yet to be fully realised Getty Palmyra recaptured by Syrian government forces Palmyra recaptured by Syrian pro-government forces The City Council of Palmyra building in ruins Reuters

President Bashar al-Assad hailed the recapture of Palmyra an "important achievement" in the "war on terrorism".