The towers of the outer wall of Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

The towers of the outer wall of Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

A view of the Mosque of at-Takiyya as-Sulaymaniyya with Qasyun mountain in the background

A view of the Mosque of at-Takiyya as-Sulaymaniyya with Qasyun mountain in the background

A room cladded with ‘Ajami decoration in a Damascene house

A room cladded with ‘Ajami decoration in a Damascene house

‘ataba ceiling in the main courtyard, north wing of the Qasr al-‘Azm in Damascus, today known as the "Bride´s Room"

‘ataba ceiling in the main courtyard, north wing of the Qasr al-‘Azm in Damascus, today known as the “Bride´s Room”

‘Ajami decoration in Qasr al-‘Azm, Damascus

‘Ajami decoration in Qasr al-‘Azm, Damascus

‘Ajami decoration in Qasr al-‘Azm, Damascus

‘Ajami decoration in Qasr al-‘Azm, Damascus

A room cladded with ‘Ajami decoration in a Damascene house

A room cladded with ‘Ajami decoration in a Damascene house

Busra, Hammam Manjak, north wing with hot water reservoir during the restoration

Busra, Hammam Manjak, north wing with hot water reservoir during the restoration

A circular skylight opening of Khan Asʿad Basha al-ʿAzm's courtyard (collapsed central dome)

A circular skylight opening of Khan Asʿad Basha al-ʿAzm’s courtyard (collapsed central dome)

Interior view of Mar Taqla Monastery, Maʿlula

Interior view of Mar Taqla Monastery, Maʿlula

View of Mar Taqla Monastery, Maʿlula

View of Mar Taqla Monastery, Maʿlula

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.

Entrance gate to the city of Ugarit

Entrance gate to the city of Ugarit

Al-Farnathiyya mausoleum, the dome from the inside

Al-Farnathiyya mausoleum, the dome from the inside

Damascus, part of the city wall and the eastern tower

Damascus, part of the city wall and the eastern tower

Krak des Chevaliers, courtyards

Krak des Chevaliers, courtyards

The courtyard of al-Jami‘ al-ʿUmari in Busra

The courtyard of al-Jami‘ al-ʿUmari in Busra

The main facade of al-Bimaristan an-Nuri in Damascus

The main facade of al-Bimaristan an-Nuri in Damascus

The courtyard of at-Takiyya as-Sulaymaniyya with a water fountain

The courtyard of at-Takiyya as-Sulaymaniyya with a water fountain

A part of at-Takiyya as-Sulaymaniyya, showing a vaulted arcade and the two minarets of the mosque

A part of at-Takiyya as-Sulaymaniyya, showing a vaulted arcade and the two minarets of the mosque

Telegraph column, topped with a miniature of a mosque, Sahat (square) al-Marja

Telegraph column, topped with a miniature of a mosque, Sahat (square) al-Marja

Telegraph column, Sahat (square) al-Marja

Telegraph column, Sahat (square) al-Marja

The main arch and the integrated columns of the Nabataean gate in Busra

The main arch and the integrated columns of the Nabataean gate in Busra

‘Ajami decoration in Bayt Nabulusi in Damascus

‘Ajami decoration in Bayt Nabulusi in Damascus

Monastery of St Simeon Stylites, view the west basilica

Monastery of St Simeon Stylites, view the west basilica

Grazing sheep on the edge of al-Ghab Plain

Grazing sheep on the edge of al-Ghab Plain

Pavilion, Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

Pavilion, Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

General view of the small palace of Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

General view of the small palace of Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi

Pavilion on the left of the Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi gate

Pavilion on the left of the Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi gate

Al-Mudiq Castle sits on a large hill

Al-Mudiq Castle sits on a large hill