A view of one of the arches and the paving stones of the second floor. Because of the shortage of wood in the area, the buildings were almost all made out of stonework. Because of the limited span of the paving stones, the arches had to be close together.
The "Governor's House" is the tallest of the preserved buildings at Shivta. It is now two stories high and originally may have been three stories high. This is the main entrance to the complex of apartments. It was first constructed in the fourth or fifth century and had a total of 30 rooms. Later, some of the rooms were demolished to make room for what is now called the "Central Church."
Because of its size and location, it is called "The Governor's House." Indeed, it may have served as an administrative center.