# Al-Azm Palace

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This article is about the palace in Damascus. For the palace in Hama, Syria built by the same client, see [Azm Palace (Hama)](/source/Azm_Palace_(Hama)).

Palace, Museum in Damascus, Syria

Al-Azm Palace قصر العظم Interactive map of the Al-Azm Palace area Alternative names Azem Palace, Azm Palace, Qasr al-Azm General information Type Palace, Museum Architectural style Damascene architecture, with ablaq Location Damascus, Syria, Al-Buzuriyah Souq Completed 1749 Renovated 1945-1961 Client As'ad Pasha al-Azm Owner Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums Technical details Floor count 2 Floor area 6400 m2 Renovating team Awards Aga Khan Award for Architecture References UNESCO World Heritage Site Official name Ancient City of Damascus Type Cultural Criteria i, ii, iii, iv, vi Designated 1979 (3rd session) Reference no. 20 Region Arab States

**Al-Azm Palace** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): قصر العظم *Qaṣr al-ʿAẓm*) is a palace in [Damascus](/source/Damascus), [Syria](/source/Syria), built in 1749.[1][2] Located north of [Al-Buzuriyah Souq](/source/Al-Buzuriyah_Souq) in the [Ancient City of Damascus](/source/Ancient_City_of_Damascus), the palace was built in 1749 to be the private residence for [As'ad Pasha al-Azm](/source/As'ad_Pasha_al-Azm), the governor of Damascus; during the [French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon](/source/Mandate_for_Syria_and_the_Lebanon), it housed the French Institute.

After the Syrian government had purchased the buildings from the [Al-Azm family](/source/Al-Azm_family) and extensive reconstruction, the palace houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.

## History

The northern facade of the courtyard

The palace was built during the [Ottoman era](/source/Ottoman_Empire) over the former site of a [Mamluk](/source/Mamluk_Sultanate_(Cairo)) palace as a residence for the governor of Damascus, [As'ad Pasha al-Azm](/source/As'ad_Pasha_al-Azm) during the reign of Sultan [Mahmud I](/source/Mahmud_I). Serving as a joint residence and guesthouse, the palace was a monument to 18th-century Arab architecture.[3]

The palace was built by 800 workers in a span of three years,[4] and the building was decorated with sophisticated and expensive decorative elements. A local Damascene barber, Shaikh Ahmad Al-Bidiri Al-Halaq recorded in his diary how "every time he [Al-Azem] heard of an antiquity or rare work of marble or porcelain, he would send someone to get it - with or without the owner's consent".[5] After al-Azm's death, the palace continued as the home for his descendants during later generations.[6]

While touring Damascus in 1898, Emperor [Wilhelm II](/source/Wilhelm_II%2C_German_Emperor) of Germany visited the palace.[7]

The courtyard and garden of the palace

The palace remained in the ownership of the Azm family until 1920, when the palace was sold to the French authorities.[5][6] The central court or *haremlek* was purchased for 4000 gold pounds (after 1958 the name of the Syrian currency in English changed from "Lira" to "Pound").[6]

During the [Great Syrian Revolution](/source/Great_Syrian_Revolution), the French government shelled Damascus to repress the rebellion, and the old quarter of Damascus was also hit. This caused extensive damage to the palace, as the main reception room, the private baths and the roofs were all set on fire while the walls were destroyed.[6] Following the end of the revolution, the French government set about reconstructing the buildings. The restoration work began immediately and was handled by architects Lucien Cavaro and [Michel Ecochard](/source/Michel_%C3%89cochard). The architects conducted a simplified, less ornate reconstruction of the palace.[6]

Following reconstruction, the French government used the palace to house the newly created French Institute, and Ecochard was commissioned to design a new house for the director of the institute. Although fairly modern, the new building blended perfectly into the 18th-century walls of the palace.[6]

Upon Syrian independence in 1946, the French Institute left the building and the house was returned to the Azm family.[5][6] Six years later, in 1951, it was purchased by the Syrian government for 100,000 Syrian pounds ($30,000),[6] which transformed it into the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.[5] Shafiq Imam was appointed as the director of the museum in 1954. The crowd for the museum's opening greatly exceeded expectations, which led Shafiq Imam to design a new staircase for the main hall to allow visitors to enter from one side and leave from another.[6]

The palace received the [Aga Khan Award for Architecture](/source/Aga_Khan_Award_for_Architecture) in 1983.

## Architecture

Old City of Damascus Damascus Citadel Umayyad Mosque Azem Palace Location of the Mosque in Relation to the Citadel and the Azem Palace v t e

Details of the stonework in the palace

The palace has a surface of 6400 m2, and its architecture is an example of Damascene traditional houses. The structure consists of several buildings and three wings: the *[harem](/source/Harem)*, the *[selamlek](/source/Selamlik)* and the *khademlek*. The harem is the family wing, which contained the private residences of the family and included the baths, which are a replica of the public baths (*hammams*) in the city on a smaller scale. The *selamlek* is the guest wing, comprising the formal halls, reception areas and large courtyards with a traditional cascading fountain, while in the northern part of the palace were the quarters for servants and housekeeping.

Another part of the palace are the traditional baths. They are composed of a succession of small rooms and narrow corridors leading to the main steam room in the heart of the building.[5] Near the *hammam* is the main marble-floored reception hall, and behind it a second, smaller courtyard with a number of rooms now used to display various examples of traditional crafts such as glassware, copper and textiles.[5]

Types of stones used in the building include [limestone](/source/Limestone), [sandstone](/source/Sandstone), [basalt](/source/Basalt), and [marble](/source/Marble), chosen to provide a varied decoration. The ceilings have painted wooden panels that display natural scenes.

Andrew Petersen, director of Research in Islamic Archaeology at the [University of Wales Lampeter](/source/University_of_Wales_Lampeter), stated that the use of [ablaq](/source/Ablaq) (alternating courses of white [limestone](/source/Limestone) and black [basalt](/source/Basalt)) in this building is a "characteristic of the monumental masonry of [Damascus](/source/Damascus)."[8]

## Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions

The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions contains, among others, a collection of Syrian [traditional costumes](/source/Folk_costume), most of which have been reproduced by the Syrian visual artist [Ziad Zukkari](/source/Ziad_Zukkari).

## See also

- [Ablaq](/source/Ablaq)

- [Azem Palace (Hama)](/source/Azm_Palace_(Hama))

- [Bayt Farhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bayt_Farhi&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Maktab Anbar](/source/Maktab_Anbar)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Al-Azem Palace | Tourist Attractions in Damascus Old City"](https://www.lovedamascus.com/en/what-to-see/tourist-attractions/al-qaymariya/006ta005/al-azem-palace). *www.lovedamascus.com*. Retrieved 2022-12-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Al Azem Palace, Syria"](https://artsandculture.google.com/story/al-azem-palace-syria/EwVxj43oviGZIA). *Google Arts & Culture*. Retrieved 2022-12-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Commins, David Dean (2004). [*Historical dictionary of Syria*](https://books.google.com/books?id=_EhACvcqVXkC&q=As%27ad+Pasha+Azm+Hama&pg=PA152). Scarecrow Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8108-4934-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-4934-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["قصر العظم متحف التقاليد الشعبية بدمشق10/01/2013 - عدد القراءات : 9419 (In Arabic)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182426/http://www.dgam.gov.sy/index.php?p=251&id=691). Archived from [the original](http://www.dgam.gov.sy/index.php?p=251&id=691) on 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-roughguide_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-roughguide_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-roughguide_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-roughguide_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-roughguide_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-roughguide_5-5) Beattie, Andrew; Pepper, Timothy (2001). [*The Rough Guide to Syria*](https://books.google.com/books?id=9iCfkTe8v2EC). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781858287188](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781858287188).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-akdn_6-8) ["Azem Palace - Syria | Aga Khan Development Network"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170222105809/http://www.akdn.org/sites/akdn/files/media/documents/AKAA%20press%20kits/1983%20AKAA/Azem%20Palace%20-%20Syria.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.akdn.org/sites/akdn/files/media/documents/AKAA%20press%20kits/1983%20AKAA/Azem%20Palace%20-%20Syria.pdf) (PDF) on 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["قصر العظم - اكتشف سورية"](http://www.discover-syria.com/bank/47) [Al-Azm Palace]. *www.discover-syria.com* (in Arabic). Retrieved 2026-03-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Petersen, Andrew (October 3, 2011). ["Damascus – history, arts and architecture"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150114164712/http://islamic-arts.org/2011/damascus-history-arts-and-architecture/). Islamic Arts & Architecture. Archived from [the original](http://islamic-arts.org/2011/damascus-history-arts-and-architecture/) on January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2012.

## External links

Media related to [Azem Palace](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Azem_Palace) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Description, images and 3D models of Al-Azm Palace](https://cyark.org/projects/al-azem-palace/exhibit) at Tapestry project

[33°30′37″N 36°18′25″E / 33.51028°N 36.30694°E / 33.51028; 36.30694](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Al-Azm_Palace&params=33_30_37_N_36_18_25_E_)

v t e Damascus Historic and other landmarks Al-Azem Palace Bayt Farhi Khan As'ad Pasha Straight Street Mausoleum of Saladin Umayyad Mosque Citadel of Damascus Grand Serail of Damascus Khadra Palace Nur al-Din Bimaristan Maktab Anbar Muhajreen Palace Hejaz Train Station Statue of Saladin Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Temple of Jupiter Tishreen Palace Al-Shaab Palace October War Panorama Madrasas and takiyyas Al-Adiliyah Madrasa Al-Shamiyah al-Kubra Madrasa Al-Fathiyah Madrasa Al-Mujahidiyah Madrasa Al-Qilijiyah Madrasa Al-Rukniyah Madrasa Al-Sahiba Madrasa Salimiyya Madrasa Al-Sibaiyah Madrasa Al-Zahiriyah Library Nur al-Din Madrasa Salimiyya Takiyya Sulaymaniyya Takiyya Mosques Al-Muallaq Al-Tawba Aqsab Darwish Pasha Hanabila Ibn 'Arabi Mosque (Salimiyya Mosque) Murad Pasha Nabi Habeel Sayyida Ruqayya Sinan Pasha Sulaymaniyya Takiyya Mosque Umayyad Yalbugha Churches Catholic Chapel of Saint Ananias Chapel of Saint Paul Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Saint Paul Eastern Orthodox Mariamite Cathedral Oriental Orthodox Syriac Cathedral of Saint George Synagogues Elfrange Synagogue Jobar Synagogue Menarsha Synagogue Racqy Synagogue Historic gates Bab al-Faradis Bab al-Jabiyah Bab al-Saghir Bab al-Salam Bab Kisan Bab Sharqi Bab Tuma Souqs and caravanserais Jaqmaq Caravansarai As'ad Pasha Caravansarai Sulayman Pasha Caravansarai Al-Harir Caravansarai Midhat Pasha Souq Al-Hamidiyah Souq Al-Buzuriyah Souq Culture and education National Museum of Damascus National Library of Syria Damascus Opera House Damascus University National University Hospital Syrian Virtual University International University for Science and Technology Syrian Private University Arab International University Higher Institute for Applied Science and Technology Higher Institute of Music in Damascus Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts National Institute of Public Administration Damascus Community School Lycée Charles de Gaulle Shami Hospital Entertainment Bakdash (ice cream parlor) Bawabet Dimashq Havana Cafe Beit al-Mamlouka Hotel Blue Tower Hotel Four Seasons Hotel Damascus Streets and squares Baghdad Street Marjeh Square Rawda Square Sabaa Bahrat Square Umayyad Square Yusuf al-Azma Square Nature Barada River Pharpar River Mount Qasioun Ghouta Sport Venues Abbasiyyin Stadium Al-Fayhaa Sports Complex Al-Fayhaa Stadium Al-Jalaa Stadium Tishreen Stadium Al-Muhafaza Stadium Al-Fayhaa Sports Arena Clubs Al-Jaish SC Al-Muhafaza SC Al-Nidal SC Al-Shorta SC Al-Wahda SC Barada SC Damascus Al-Ahli Municipal districts Old Damascus Sarouja Qanawat Jobar Al-Midan Al-Shaghour Qadam Kafr Sousa Mezzeh Dummar Barzeh Qaboun Rukn al-Din Al-Salihiyah Muhajreen Yarmouk Timeline (List of rulers) Aram Siege (634) Jund Dimashq Burid dynasty Siege (1148) Eyalet Affair Protocol State Battle (1941) International Airport 1976 Pan Arab Games World Military Cup 1977 International Film Festival 1981 Azbakiyah bombing 1986 bombings 1992 Pan Arab Games Spring 2002 West Asian Football Federation Championship 2004 WABA Champions Cup Declaration 2008 Arab Capital of Culture 2008 Arab League summit 2008 car bombing 2011 bombings 2011–2012 clashes January 2012 al-Midan bombing March 2012 bombings April 2012 bombings May 2012 bombings Battle (2012) July 2012 bombing 2017 bombings 2024 Fall Category

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