Homs
Zahrawi Palace in the al-Hamidiyya quarter of old Homs is one of the city's finest historic houses. It dates back to 661 AH (1262–63) in the Mamluk period,…
Zahrawi Palace in the al-Hamidiyya quarter of old Homs is one of the city's finest historic houses. It dates back to 661 AH (1262–63) in the Mamluk period, and stone inscriptions in the building bear the emblem of Sultan al-Zahir Baybars. It takes its name from the Zahrawi family who later lived there, and it served for a time as a seat of government in Homs. The palace is built around an inner courtyard, with an iwan crowned by a shell-shaped dome and muqarnas carving, and arched loggias on the upper floor overlooking the court. It has been under restoration in recent years, with plans to open it for cultural events and as a museum of folk traditions.