Azm Palace, Ottoman palace in Hama, Syria.
Azm Palace is a two-story Ottoman structure with courtyards, fountains, and grand reception halls decorated with carved woodwork and patterned marble surfaces. The building displays alternating layers of dark and light stone, with latticed stone windows surrounding the internal courtyards where water features sit at the center.
The palace was constructed in 1742 by a local Ottoman governor who financed it with family resources and reused materials from nearby structures. The building emerged during a period when Ottoman administrative power remained strong in the region.
The palace shows how family and guest areas were kept separate, reflecting how people organized their daily lives and social interactions in Ottoman times. Visitors can still see this spatial division today and understand the customs of the period through the building's layout.
The structure now operates as a museum displaying archaeological pieces, Roman floor mosaics, and traditional Syrian garments. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear to navigate the various rooms and courtyards comfortably.
The stonework displays a crafted pattern of dark and light tones that runs across the entire facade. This contrast of colored stones was a favored technique in local construction and gives the building its visual character.
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