Gallery
Description
Property Name: Azem Palace, Palace of As’ad Pasha al-Azm, al-Azem Palace
Inventory No: 963-11-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-11-05
Country (State party): Syria
Province: Damascus
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 33° 30′ 36″ N
36° 18′ 24″ E
Historic Period: Ottoman between 1579-1792
Year of Construction: 1750
Style: Late Ottoman
Original Use: Palace
Current Use: Museum
Architect: Unknown
Significance
Azem Palace is an important remarkably complete example of late Ottoman architecture in the Old City of Damascus. It shows the individual architectural style of Syria with its high quality of craftsmanship. It avoids external display, true to its genre, and it presents a reticent face to the city.
Selection Criteria
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
State of Preservation
The Palace was extensively damaged in 1925 during the French attack. The restoration work started in 1945 and continued until 1961. Generally, the complex shows a well-preserved frame. The architectural work in this palace was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Islamic Architecture at its 1983 session. This is due to the ingenuity of the work in dealing with the dilapidated parts of the palace with skill and accuracy, and in a manner that did not affect the architectural value. The palace was recently restored. Its facades and floors were cleaned with distilled water, without using any chemicals. Electrical maintenance was carried out, and the copper works were cleaned. All works were completed in 2007. Nowadays, this monument is used as a museum.
References
Burns Ross. Monuments of Syria, IB Tauris, London, 1999.
Degeorge, Gérard. Syrie: art-histoire-architecture. Paris: Hermann, 1994.
ed. Michell, George. Key Monuments of Islamic Architecture. Thames and Hudson LTD, London, 1978.
Archnet Web Site: www.archnet.org
Aga Khan Development Network Website: www.akdn.org