Azem palace Damascus, Syria It was the private residence for the governor of Damascus, Asad Pasha al-Azem It remained the Azem residence until the beginning of the 20th century, when the family moved outside the Old City and the house was sold to the. Azem palace Damascus, Syria It was the private residence for the governor of Damascus, Asad Pasha al-Azem It remained the Azem residence until the beginning of the 20th century, when the family moved outside the Old City and the house was s