A Peak Inside 14 Stunning Traditional Lebanese Homes

Sometime in the 1990s, a census had placed the number of traditional-style homes in Beirut to be around 1,600. Today, after a slew of illegal demolitions and a lack of preservation, fewer than 300 remain standing. Sadly, this situation was only made more dire by the August 2020 explosion which, in addition to carrying out devastating loss of human life, also damaged many of these structures—including ones dating back to the 19th century.

Local activists and initiatives have been spearheading the protection of these structures, along with Instagram accounts and local photographers who attempt to contribute by popularising awareness of the subject. Here is a look at 14 of them:

1. Sursock Cochrane Palace



2. Location not specified



3. Feghali residence, Sursock



4. Maaser Al Chouf



5. Hosrayel



6. Gemmayze



7. Unspecified location



8. Palmyra Hotel, Baalbek



9. Zokak el Blat



10. Rifai Mansion, Zokak el Blat



11. Abandoned hotel, Aley



12. Sawfar Grand Hotel



13. Delbta



14. Al-Rayyes residence, Sursock



You can read about Beirut’s cultural heritage and help save it by getting involved with this organization.