A wall painting from Zimri-Lim’s palace in Mari (Tall al-Hariri), which is known as "The Ordinator of the Sacrifice" (ca. 1780 BC) and hangs in the Louvre.

A wall painting from Zimri-Lim’s palace in Mari (Tall al-Hariri), which is known as “The Ordinator of the Sacrifice” (ca. 1780 BC) and hangs in the Louvre.

Salkhad - historical pond (birket)

Salkhad – historical pond (birket)

View on the Euphrates river from Dura Europos

View on the Euphrates river from Dura Europos

Krak des Chevaliers, courtyards

Krak des Chevaliers, courtyards

Artificial irrigation, al-Ghab Plain

Artificial irrigation, al-Ghab Plain

Irrigation canal near Baniyas

Irrigation canal near Baniyas

Hadrian’s Arch, 3rd century AD, view from south at the entrance to colonnaded street

Hadrian’s Arch, 3rd century AD, view from south at the entrance to colonnaded street

Hiraqla victory monument: reliefed fragments

Hiraqla victory monument: reliefed fragments

Salah ad-Din Castle, the massive castle wall with a tower on the vertical rocky edge

Salah ad-Din Castle, the massive castle wall with a tower on the vertical rocky edge

Izraʿ - Kanisat (chrurch) Mar Jirjis - plan

Izraʿ – Kanisat (chrurch) Mar Jirjis – plan

Temple of Bel, 1st c. AD

Temple of Bel, 1st c. AD

Temple of Bel, ceiling decorations

Temple of Bel, ceiling decorations

Bayt Ghazala, the iwan

Bayt Ghazala, the iwan

Jamiʿ al-ʿAdiliyya, general view of the prayer hall

Jamiʿ al-ʿAdiliyya, general view of the prayer hall

Afamiya, remains of the colonnaded street (Cardo Maximus)

Afamiya, remains of the colonnaded street (Cardo Maximus)

Agricultural fields and industrial complex near Baniyas

Agricultural fields and industrial complex near Baniyas

A view of Qalʿat Shayzar along the Orontes river

A view of Qalʿat Shayzar along the Orontes river

Salah ad-Din Castle, massive castle walls above the vertical rock face

Salah ad-Din Castle, massive castle walls above the vertical rock face

Diversity of vegetation and protruding rocks in the Syrian coastal mountains (al-Jibal as-Sahiliyya)

Diversity of vegetation and protruding rocks in the Syrian coastal mountains (al-Jibal as-Sahiliyya)

Roman mosaic, National Museum of Damascus

Roman mosaic, National Museum of Damascus

Dar'a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari - The prayer hall

Dar’a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari – The prayer hall

Dar'a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari- main door from the inside

Dar’a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari- main door from the inside

Dar'a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari - the main entrance from the outside

Dar’a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari – the main entrance from the outside

Interior view of Tomb Tower of Elahbel, Valley of the Tombs

Interior view of Tomb Tower of Elahbel, Valley of the Tombs

Dar'a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari - Inscription on the eastern arcade

Dar’a, al-Jamiʿ (mosque) al-ʿUmari – Inscription on the eastern arcade

Bayt Ghazala, courtyard and western facade - main hall's (qaʿa) facade

Bayt Ghazala, courtyard and western facade – main hall’s (qaʿa) facade

Bayt Ghazala, ʿajami wall panels decorating the main hall (qaʿa)

Bayt Ghazala, ʿajami wall panels decorating the main hall (qaʿa)

Bayt Ghazala, courtyard - eastern facade

Bayt Ghazala, courtyard – eastern facade

Bayt Ghazala, eastern facade - plant ornament above the main entrance from the inside

Bayt Ghazala, eastern facade – plant ornament above the main entrance from the inside

Bayt Ghazala, courtyard - northern facade

Bayt Ghazala, courtyard – northern facade