Khadra Palace, Umayyad palace near Great Mosque, Damascus, Syria
Khadra Palace was an Umayyad residence with stone walls, a distinctive green dome, and gardens located beside the Great Mosque in Damascus. The building featured terraces that overlooked the fertile plains surrounding the city.
The palace was founded during the Umayyad period by Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan and served as the first Arab governmental center in Damascus. Later it was destroyed by fire and its grounds were repurposed for subsequent construction.
The palace design marked a transition in Islamic architecture, incorporating a throne room with luxurious cushions and establishing new standards for caliphal residences.
The site was directly connected to the Great Mosque through an entrance, which simplified administrative and religious functions. Visitors can explore its location at the edge of the old city, where several historical sites stand nearby.
After its destruction by fire in the Fatimid era, the palace grounds were later used to construct Azem Palace, which now functions as a museum.
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