8 Hauntingly Beautiful Abandoned Buildings In Lebanon
This article was originally published on our Arabic platform by Adiba Kassab and was translated to English.
Lebanon is home to many ancient cities, streets, estates, and homes, some of which are abandoned and have been left with only the magical memories they hold. Others have been restored, and have lived to see our present day. This time, we’re going to be talking about some of the most hauntingly beautiful abandoned buildings of Lebanon that, even though are deserted, stand up to be some of Lebanon’s most majestic sites.
1. The Holiday Inn Hotel
This hotel was one of the most prestigious hotels in Beirut, and was featured in more than 15 films that were shot in Lebanon. This hotel welcomed important international guests like Dalida, Wam Kalthoum and Farid Al Atrash.
2. Al-Murr Tower
The 34 story Murr Tower in central Beirut was supposed to be an important commercial center in Lebanon, but unfortunately because of the war, the tower was turned into a stronghold for gunmen and snipers. The building, as a result, was badly damaged and abandoned.
3. Beirut City Center – commonly known as The Egg
Nicknamed as The Egg, this building was designed by Lebanese architect Joseph Karam when put in order for construction as part of a development project for modernist buildings in 1965. It was supposed to be a “Beirut City Center”, which would function as a venue for shopping and a cinema theater in addition to an office space. All construction plans stopped when the civil war started in 1975, and as a result of warfare and ammunition, the Egg was partially destroyed, yet stands to be one of Beirut’s historic landmark.
4. Saint George Hotel
The hotel was founded in 1945 and was considered one of the landmarks of the Golden Age of Lebanon. The hotel hosted multiple big names including Lebanese politicians, ambassadors and kings, such as Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, King Hussein of Jordan, and was once a celebrity hotspot, as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Bourton, and Umm Kulthum have been guests at the Saint George. The hotel was destroyed in The Civil War, and cannot restart operation due to Solidere.
5. The Villa – Donna Maria Sursock’s residence
The palace was built in 1909 in Sawfar, and became deserted after the war. Nonetheless, the design of the magnificent palace attracted many people, and on multiple occasions has hosted weddings.
6. Al Kassouf Hotel
Built in 1930 in Dhour al-Shweir, the hotel hosted a lot of high profile personalities like President Camille Chamoun, Umm Kulthum, Farid al-Atrash, Abdel Wahab, and the first Miss Lebanon pageant was held there.
7. The Grand Aley Hotel
This hotel was built in 1926 by 3 brothers from Beirut, but the war destroyed it completely, and so it became unoccupied and abandoned.
8. The Sawfar Grand Hotel
This hotel was one of the most beautiful hotels in Lebanon and had quite the guest list full with famous politicians and celebrities, while Sawfar was, and some might argue still remains to be, one of the best summer touristic destinations in the country.
