Azm Palace (Hama)

　　Azm Palace (Hama) is an 18th-century Ottoman palace situated on the banks of the Orontes River. Ross Burns, the author of *Syrian Archaeology*, comments that Azm Palace (Hama) is “one of the most delightful examples of Ottoman architecture in Syria.” The palace was built in 1742 by the ruling Ottoman governor as his residence.

　　The Azm Palace (Hama) is a two-story building, with a corresponding courtyard on each floor. The courtyard on the ground floor features a central fountain surrounded by trees that provide shade. The upper-floor courtyard is designed to allow cool breezes and moist air to circulate, helping maintain a pleasant temperature. The rooms inside the palace are exquisitely decorated with woodwork, stone carvings, and marble. Some of the second-floor rooms also house traditional exhibits, where mannequins dressed in period costumes recreate Syrian daily life, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the country’s history. In 1956, the palace was converted into a museum, showcasing a variety of archaeological artifacts collected from Hama and nearby cities.

　　Azm Palace (Hama) Reason to visit: One of the loveliest Ottoman buildings in Syria Continent: Asia Country: Syria Province/Region: Hama Governorate City: Hama