The wealthy families of Damascus, inspired by the grandeur of the Ottoman capital Istanbul, itself inspired by Europe, renovated their homes in the Ottoman fashion. For example, Beit Nizam's heavily gilded interiors and mirrors reflect a taste for the European Baroque, while Beit Baroudi's large wall paintings feature the international cityscapes of Mecca and Medina, Istanbul on the Bosphorus, Paris's Place de la Concorde and the tributaries of Venice. Steamships and locomotives appear in the paintings with the words 'Sham Sheriff' – 'Honourable Syria' indicating the train's final destination. The term 'Honourable Syria' comes from the city's role as the gathering place for pilgrims and is, therefore, symbolic of the beautiful marriage between East and West, representing integration and preservation of the cultural heritage.