Raqqa, Great Mosque; Aerial view

Raqqa, Great Mosque; Aerial view

The minaret of Great Mosque of Raqqa-Rafiqa, 8th/12th C.

The minaret of Great Mosque of Raqqa-Rafiqa, 8th/12th C.

Raqqa, Great Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq), the courtyard

Raqqa, Great Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq), the courtyard

Raqqa - remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa – remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa - Remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa – Remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

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.

View into a room in Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

View into a room in Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), The Archive Hall in the Palace of Zimri lim

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), The Archive Hall in the Palace of Zimri lim

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

The historic alley leading to al-ʿAzm Palace

The historic alley leading to al-ʿAzm Palace

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), the palace's cistern made of baked brick (beginning of 2nd millennium BC)

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), the palace’s cistern made of baked brick (beginning of 2nd millennium BC)

Stone coffins in the southern Palace, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Stone coffins in the southern Palace, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Khan Qurdbak, iwan of the Mamluk palace

Khan Qurdbak, iwan of the Mamluk palace

Khan Qurdbak, iwan of the Mamluk palace

Khan Qurdbak, iwan of the Mamluk palace

Aleppo: Citadel, Palace, 13 C.

Aleppo: Citadel, Palace, 13 C.

A staircase was leading up to upper floor at Royal Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

A staircase was leading up to upper floor at Royal Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

A view of Royal Palace G, Tall Mardikh (Ebla)

A view of Royal Palace G, Tall Mardikh (Ebla)

A photo of villagers at the entrance of traditional building under construction, Raqqa

A photo of villagers at the entrance of traditional building under construction, Raqqa

Raqqa, Northeast Complex

Raqqa, Northeast Complex

Preparation of mud for construction in one of Raqqa villages

Preparation of mud for construction in one of Raqqa villages

Preparation of mud for construction in one of Raqqa villages

Preparation of mud for construction in one of Raqqa villages

View of the Euphrates River, Raqqa

View of the Euphrates River, Raqqa

Raqqa, Northeast Complex

Raqqa, Northeast Complex

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate (Bab) as seen from outside the fence

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate (Bab) as seen from outside the fence

Raqqa - Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall - one of the wall tower

Raqqa – Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall – one of the wall tower

Raqqa - the excavations of the site "East of Raqqa" - Eastern Palace, stucco decorations

Raqqa – the excavations of the site “East of Raqqa” – Eastern Palace, stucco decorations

Raqqa, hypothetic reconstruction of the prayer hall of Grand Abbasid Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq)

Raqqa, hypothetic reconstruction of the prayer hall of Grand Abbasid Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq)

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque - Plan

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque – Plan

Khan Qurdbak, southern part of the Khan - iwan of the Mamluk Palace

Khan Qurdbak, southern part of the Khan – iwan of the Mamluk Palace