View of the throne-room or audience hall from the main entrance. Note the unusual construction - a square chamber roofed with three barrel vaults supported on low-sprung transverse arches.
Cresswell notes that these arches are very slightly pointed - one of the earliest examples of what would become a standard feature of Islamic architecture.
The small alcove in the centre was the throne room where the Caliph Al Walid would have held court. Either side of this alcove are small rest-chambers. The three windows visible at the top of the vaults are the one's visible in the exterior view (previous slide). The entire structure was covered in early 9th century fresco paintings which have been extensively restored in recent years.