The Azm Palace and the French Mandate

The entrance to the Azm Palace (now the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions). As is the case with traditional Damascene homes, it is carefully designed so that no one can see the courtyard from the door thereby maximizing privacy and protecting the ladies of the house from covetous eyes and would be voyeurs

The mansion was constructed in the middle of the 18th century and had remained in the possession of the Azm family until it was bought by the French Government from 68 heirs in 1922 (that is under the French Mandate) for the then substantial sum of 22,000 gold livres. Subsequently, L'Institut Français d'Archéologie et d'Art Musulmans moved into its haramlik (family quarter) whereas General Sarrail, the French High Commissioner made his residence in the salamlik (guest quarter). The latter choice proved disastrous as it made the house -located in the heart of intra-muro Damascus- a natural target for the rebels during the 1925 Great Syrian Revolution. The mansion was attacked in force but the mob, failing to find the general, proceeded to looting to eventually set fire to the building. The palace burnt for 2 days and in the process priceless treasures were irretrievably lost including thousands of rare photographs. Shortly afterwards, restoration work started in earnest at the initiative of Monsieur Lorey, the Director of the Institute with results that we can still admire 90 years after the catastrophe. The government of the newly independent Syria was to take possession of this landmark in 1946, following the French evacuation.

Damascus: Hidden Treasures of the Old City
Brigid Keenan & Tim Beddow
Thames & Hudson May 2000