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

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

The façade of al-Hayr al-Gharbi Palace, National Museum of Damascus

The façade of al-Hayr al-Gharbi Palace, National Museum of Damascus

The northern entrance of the historical city of Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya), end of 4th century BC

The northern entrance of the historical city of Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya), end of 4th century BC

The gate of south-western side, Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya)

The gate of south-western side, Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya)

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) - Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) – Excavations

The northern entrance of the historical city of Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya), end of 4th century BC

The northern entrance of the historical city of Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya), end of 4th century BC

View over the roof of the south-western Madrasat Ismaʿil Basha al-ʿAzm to the Umayyad Mosque with its high transept of the prayer hall with a central dome and its three minarets

View over the roof of the south-western Madrasat Ismaʿil Basha al-ʿAzm to the Umayyad Mosque with its high transept of the prayer hall with a central dome and its three minarets

A distant view of Masyaf castle and town

A distant view of Masyaf castle and town

Busra, a view into the Roman theater (3rd c), which was in Islamic times converted into a fortress

Busra, a view into the Roman theater (3rd c), which was in Islamic times converted into a fortress

Shaykh Shibli shrine - al-Tar mountain, south -east of al-Mayadeen

Shaykh Shibli shrine – al-Tar mountain, south -east of al-Mayadeen

Temple of Bel, 1st c. AD

Temple of Bel, 1st c. AD

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) - Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) – Excavations

View to the proscenium and scaenae frons, Palmyra Theater, 2nd c. AD

View to the proscenium and scaenae frons, Palmyra Theater, 2nd c. AD

Lion of goddess Al-Lat, 1st c. AD

Lion of goddess Al-Lat, 1st c. AD

The lower part of the lion of goddess Al-Lat, 1st c. AD

The lower part of the lion of goddess Al-Lat, 1st c. AD

The suspension bridge over the Euphrates in Dayr az-Zawr

The suspension bridge over the Euphrates in Dayr az-Zawr

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) - Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) – Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) - Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) – Excavations

Zabadani Plains with trees and agriculture

Zabadani Plains with trees and agriculture

Muzayrib - Ruins of an historical bridge

Muzayrib – Ruins of an historical bridge

Minaret of the Great Mosque of Hama

Minaret of the Great Mosque of Hama

Shaykh Anas shrine - al-Tar mountain south-east of al-Mayadeen - the dome from the inside

Shaykh Anas shrine – al-Tar mountain south-east of al-Mayadeen – the dome from the inside

Qal‘at Shayzar (castle), The stairs leading to the entrance

Qal‘at Shayzar (castle), The stairs leading to the entrance

General view of Masyaf Castle

General view of Masyaf Castle

View of the Euphrates River, Raqqa

View of the Euphrates River, Raqqa

Preparation of mud for construction in one of Raqqa villages

Preparation of mud for construction in one of Raqqa villages

Tall al-Mishrifa (Qatna) within its geographic area

Tall al-Mishrifa (Qatna) within its geographic area

Harran al-ʿAwamid, Hayat bin Qays al-Harani mosque

Harran al-ʿAwamid, Hayat bin Qays al-Harani mosque

The foothills of Antilibanon- Mountains overlooking the Zabadani plain

The foothills of Antilibanon- Mountains overlooking the Zabadani plain

View of the old town from Maʿlula with its traditionally light blue painted facades

View of the old town from Maʿlula with its traditionally light blue painted facades