One of most famous buildings of Old Damascus. Built by Asa`ad Pasha al-Azem, governor of Damascus, in 1749. The palace was used as a residence of the Higher Commissioner during the early days of French mandate in 1920. It was later bought by the French authorities and changed into an educational institute. The palace was severely damaged by French bombardment during the Syrian Revolt of 1925. Many parts of it were later rebuilt. In 1954, the Palace was turned into a museum of Syrian traditions. It is a typical example of traditional Syrian architecture and is a main tourist attraction in Damascus.