I first take you along the columns and mosaics of the western colonnade, housing the so-called Barada Panel, a mosaic running along its inner arcade, thought to represent the river of paradise in the form of the Barada River, flowing through vegetation and along pavilions and phantasy cities. The Bradt guide states this is one theory, others being this represents the world as it is being subjected by Islam, and another it simply represents Damascus of the 8th century. Who knows? At any rate, they are very fine masterly mosaics.