And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong – so it is [now] fallen into ruin – and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace.
Meaning:-
Ruin: to severely harm, damage, to destroy or spoil.
Abandoned: having been deserted or cast off.
Lofty: building or structure: very tall, of imposing height; towering.