Royal Palace

Dating back to the 13th-century, the royal palace is anothe rmajor sight. With its fine stalactite and honeycomb entrance porch, inlaid with white marble. The throne room, dating from the Mamluk period (15th - 16th centuries) has been most tastefully restored. Syrian artists and craftsmen have here recreated the luxurious setting of the court: the ceiling with its decorated beams and caissons, the lighting, the windows, the polychrome columns - all are a tribute to their skill. It also illustrates the way the Department of Museums and Antiquities are going about their vast task of restoration and reconstruction.