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Historical Facts

The Umayyad Empire

Cross Roads of Civilisations

The Umayyad Empire is the largest Empire the world has ever seen.

Under the banner of a new religion, Islam, Arab tribes took advantage of the Byzantines weakening grip over Syria and moved northwards from the Arabian Peninsula to take Damascus in 634.

The new rulers of Damascus worked with Syria’s majority Christian population to establish a new empire.

At its peak, the Umayyad Empire stretched from the borders of China all the way to present day Spain with Damascus as its Capital.

The Eastern Hayr Palace

The Eastern Hayr Palace

Together with the Western Hayr Palace, whose façade decorates the Damascus National Museum, the Eastern Hayr Palace in the Syrian desert is a fine example of early 8th century Umayyad architecture.