Maktab Anbar

Unseen behind the high walls within the Old City are hundreds of delightful houses built around courtyards and featuring their own elaborate decoration. Unfortunately, many of these treasures are in a sad state of disrepair, but a loop off Straight St takes in several examples, all of which have benefited from renovation.

From Dahdah Palace, go west to Sharia al-Amin, turn right then left onto Straight St, then turn right for Maktab Anbar. Built in 1867 by a Jewish trader who, legend has it, travelled to India and returned with a hat full of diamonds, the extravagant palace was seized in 1890 when he couldn't pay his taxes, and was turned into a women's boarding school. These days it houses the architects responsible for the preservation and renovation of the Old City. There are three splendid courtyards featuring exquisite decoration and lush gardens.