Azm Palace, Damascus (must see)
Azm Palace is a palace in Damascus, which was originally built in 1750 as a residence for the Ottoman governor of Damascus As'ad Pasha al-Azm. The palace now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
The architecture is an excellent example of Damascene traditional houses. The structure itself consists of several buildings and two wings: the harem and the salamlik. The harem is the family wing, which was a private space for the residents (originally, the Azm family). This wing includes the kitchen, servant quarters, and the baths, which are a replica of the public baths in the city but on a smaller scale. The salamlik is the guest wing, and it comprises the formal halls, reception areas and large courtyards with traditional cascading fountains.
In 1925, the Azm palace was heavily damaged by French artillery during the Syrian revolution. It has since been restored and became a museum of arts and folk traditions. It received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983.
The architecture is an excellent example of Damascene traditional houses. The structure itself consists of several buildings and two wings: the harem and the salamlik. The harem is the family wing, which was a private space for the residents (originally, the Azm family). This wing includes the kitchen, servant quarters, and the baths, which are a replica of the public baths in the city but on a smaller scale. The salamlik is the guest wing, and it comprises the formal halls, reception areas and large courtyards with traditional cascading fountains.
In 1925, the Azm palace was heavily damaged by French artillery during the Syrian revolution. It has since been restored and became a museum of arts and folk traditions. It received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Damascus. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Azm Palace on Map
Sight Name: Azm Palace
Sight Location: Damascus, Syria (See walking tours in Damascus)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Damascus, Syria (See walking tours in Damascus)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Damascus, Syria
Create Your Own Walk in Damascus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Damascus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Damascus Introduction Walking Tour
Damascus is the capital and currently the largest city of Syria, commonly referred to by the locals as “ash-Sham” and nicknamed “the City of Jasmine.” Today the city represents a blend of modern and ancient architecture, in which the latter is very carefully preserved and respected. Follow this orientation walk to explore some of the key historic sights of centuries-old Damascus.
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Old Damascus Landmarks Tour
Old Damascus has many precious historic landmarks that are full of mystery. The following self-guided tour will lead you to Damascus’ most amazing landmarks.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles