I was excited to visit this museum. If the stunning grandeur of the architecture belied the contents of the building, the pieces would be magnificent. Unfortunately, my trip was underwhelming at best and disappointing at worst. Where was the art?! I was expecting to see a lot of art, given the size of the building, but almost half of the museum was closed in preparation for the next temporary collection. There was very little art left to see! However, you will still pay full price. The worst part, though, is that the measly offering of the permanent collection was not representative of the exquisite beauty of Islamic art.
The reflecting pools at the entrance of the museum were lovely. The courtyard is resplendent. The Syrian Symphony exhibit was moving and powerful. This breathtaking facility needs a world class selection of art.