Khusrawiyya, view of complex from the citadel, Khan ash-Shuna in foreground, in 2000

Khusrawiyya, view of complex from the citadel, Khan ash-Shuna in foreground, in 2000

The minaret of Jamiʿ (Mosque) ash-Shaykh Muhyi ad-Din Ibn ʿArabi

The minaret of Jamiʿ (Mosque) ash-Shaykh Muhyi ad-Din Ibn ʿArabi

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, interior view of lobed dome carried by muqarnas

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, interior view of lobed dome carried by muqarnas

Jamiʿ ash-Shuʿaybiyya, the minaret

Jamiʿ ash-Shuʿaybiyya, the minaret

Ash-Shaykh mountain, distant view of 'Arna village

Ash-Shaykh mountain, distant view of ‘Arna village

Mausoleum of ash-Shaykh Khalid an-Naqishbandi

Mausoleum of ash-Shaykh Khalid an-Naqishbandi

Tughra of sultan over the entrance of ash-Shaykh Muhyi ad-Din Ibn ʿArabi Mosque

Tughra of sultan over the entrance of ash-Shaykh Muhyi ad-Din Ibn ʿArabi Mosque

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, prayer niche decorated with geometric patterns

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, prayer niche decorated with geometric patterns

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, the entrance from the interior

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, the entrance from the interior

A room in the family wing (haramlik or juwwani), Asʿad Basha al-ʿAzm Palace

A room in the family wing (haramlik or juwwani), Asʿad Basha al-ʿAzm Palace

Spring pasture of sheep grazing in Badiyyat ash-Sham at Sabʿ Biyar

Spring pasture of sheep grazing in Badiyyat ash-Sham at Sabʿ Biyar

Squinch of the dome in the hall of upper floor, Qasr al-ʿAzm

Squinch of the dome in the hall of upper floor, Qasr al-ʿAzm

Qasr al-ʿAzm, decorative niche in the dome hall

Qasr al-ʿAzm, decorative niche in the dome hall

Qasr al-ʿAzm, terrace with portico in the upper floor

Qasr al-ʿAzm, terrace with portico in the upper floor

The men's quarters (Salamlik), Qasr al-ʿAzm

The men’s quarters (Salamlik), Qasr al-ʿAzm

The dome hall in the upper floor of Qasr al-ʿAzm (Palace)

The dome hall in the upper floor of Qasr al-ʿAzm (Palace)

A hall in the upper floor, Qasr al-ʿAzm (Palace)

A hall in the upper floor, Qasr al-ʿAzm (Palace)

Remains of the pendentifs carrying the dome of the church at Ibn Wardan Palace

Remains of the pendentifs carrying the dome of the church at Ibn Wardan Palace

The facade of the church, Ibn Wardan Palace

The facade of the church, Ibn Wardan Palace

The facade of the church, Ibn Wardan Palace

The facade of the church, Ibn Wardan Palace

View of the church at Ibn Wardan Palace

View of the church at Ibn Wardan Palace

Lintel of the main entrance of the Church, Ibn Wardan Palace

Lintel of the main entrance of the Church, Ibn Wardan Palace

Main entrance of the church, Ibn Wardan Palace

Main entrance of the church, Ibn Wardan Palace

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, entrance with half-dome and muqarnas

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, entrance with half-dome and muqarnas

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, interior view of lobed dome carried by muqarnas

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, interior view of lobed dome carried by muqarnas

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, the entrance from the interior

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, the entrance from the interior

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, details of the entrance muqarnas

Al-Madrasa ash-Sharafiyya, details of the entrance muqarnas

Jabal ʿAruda, Maqam (shrine) ash-Shaykh 'Aruda

Jabal ʿAruda, Maqam (shrine) ash-Shaykh ‘Aruda

Valley of Nahr Al-Kabir al-Shamali River

Valley of Nahr Al-Kabir al-Shamali River

Aerial view of the desert in Badiyat ash-Sham

Aerial view of the desert in Badiyat ash-Sham