Security guards taking a tea break at the Azem Palace, Damascus.
The Azem Palace was originally built in 1750 as a residence for the Ottoman governor of Damascus As’ad Pasha al-Azem. The palace now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
The architecture is an excellent example of Damascene traditional houses.
Used in the building of this palace were several types of stones including limestone, sandstone, basalt, and marble. This provided for a natural decorative appearance of the structure. The ceilings have painted wooden panels that display natural scenes.
In 1925, the Azem palace was heavily damaged by French artillery during the Syrian revolution. It has since been restored and received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983.
Source: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Middle_East/Syria/photo1023664.htm
Ismailimail 