View of the walls with the open desert beyond. This once rich palace complex was surrounded by gardens and would have been a luxurious desert retreat for the Omayyad caliphs of Damascus. Originally built by Hisham in 730AD, it was subsequently used by the Abassid caliph Harun ar-Rashid and wasn't abandoned until the 14th century. Access to the site is by rough tracks and open desert - you should be able to find a driver in Palmyra who'll be willing to make the trip for 20 dollars or so.