L'institut français d'archéologie et d'Art Musulmans

This mansion was constructed in the middle of the 18th century and had remained in the possession of the al-ʿAẓm dynasty 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 ḥaramlik (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 Old Damascus—a natural target for the rebels during the 1925 Great Syrian Revolution. The mansion was attacked in force on October 18, but the mob, failing to find the general, proceeded to loot and eventually set fire to the building. The palace burnt for two 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 Eustache de Lorey, the Director of the Institute, with results that we can still admire 100 years after the catastrophe. The government of the newly independent Syria took possession of the palace in 1946.

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