Damascus, reputed to be the world's oldest continually inhabited city, has enjoyed a history of immense grandeur, enormous political and mercantile power, and great cultural and artistic achievement. Alongside some of Islam's most magnificent architecture, such as the Umayyad Mosque, today's city can also boast a heritage of Eairytale palaces and sumptuous private houses of comparable splendour. Sadly, many of them are now in need of urgent restoration.

Damascus, reputed to be the world"s oldest continually inhabited city, has enjoyed a history of immense grandeur, enormous political and mercantile power, and great cultural and artistic achievement. Alongside some of Islam"s most magnificent architecture, such as the Umayyad Mosque, today"s city can also boast a heritage of Eairytale palaces and sumptuous private houses of comparable splendour. Sadly, many of them are now in need of urgent restoration.

Brigid Keenan and Tim Beddow have set out to record these priceless architectural gems and to reveal them to the world at large. They were given unprecedented access to the inner, "hidden"city, which has resulted in a book that will be of immense importance to all concerned with the heritage of architecture in the Islamic world.

The text first sets the historical scene, describing the growth and fortunes of Damascus through the ages; continues with an account of its architecture and way of life; and concludes with descriptions of individual houses and of the people who built and lived in them.

The accompanying plates illustrate the theme with superb photographs not only of facades,courtyards, alleyways and fountains, but of the breathtaking interiors that often lie behind theunassuming walls of the old town, with exquisite details in stone, wood, paint, marble, plaster,glass and mother-of-pearl.

The whole, published with the generous support of Wafic R.ida Said, forms a convincing and elegiac plea for the preservation of the heart of this historic ancient capital.

Preface    Wafic Rida Said

Introduction  Brigid Keenan

Part 1     Sacred and Secular

        Fountains

        Decorative Tiles

        Mihrabs and Niches

Part 2    Palaces and People

        Courtyards

        Ceilings

        Wall Paintings

        Coloured Pastework

        Stonework

        Windows

        Doors

Epilogue

Key to the Maps

Glossary

Bibliography

Illustration Credits

Index