Frozen in Time: 7 Hauntingly Beautiful Abandoned Places You Must Visit in Lebanon

Numerous constructions in Lebanon have been abandoned during the civil war. Empty hotels, deserted train stations, uninhabited buildings, and other places that were once full of life and people are left as a reminder of what was and what could have been. You don’t have to venture far to find evidence of Lebanon’s glorious past. In this article, I will take you on a tour of 10 hauntingly beautiful abandoned places that will blow your mind.

Dahr Al Baidar Train Station

In 1891, the Ottoman Empire granted a French company permission to build the first railway in the Middle East; and in 1895 the first train completed its nine-hour journey from Mar Mikhail railway station to Damascus, stopping in Hadath, Aley, and Sofar, among other places. The network expanded in 1906 to connect Rayak to Homs, Hama, and Aleppo. However, due to the onset of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, many stations were damaged and the entire network eventually came to a halt.

Grand Sawfar Hotel and Casino

The Sursock family built the Grand Sawfar Hotel in 1892 in a prime spot facing Sawfar’s train station. Overlooking La Martine Valley, the hotel was a favored summer destination to royalty, haute bourgeoisie figures, and artists thanks to the cool weather, fresh air, and beautiful scenery. The hotel was also well known for opening the first casino in the Middle East and for hosting extravagant parties.

The property closed during the Civil War but reopened in September 2018 when British artist Tom Young launched an exhibition of forty of his paintings, which paid homage to the Grand Sawfar’s magical past. It is now under restoration with plans to transform the building into a permanent cultural landmark.

Villa Donna Maria Sursock

Built in 1909 by Alfred Bey Sursock as a gift to his wife, Donna Maria Teresa Serra. the villa looks a little like a small fairy tale castle and is interesting because of its decorative elements in cast cement, a novelty at the time.

The Villa was used extensively all summers up to 1975 and unfortunately, as with the hotel, it was severely damaged and looted by the various armies and militias roaming the area at the time of the civil war. It stands today wrecked and uninhabited, but still forms a majestic and dramatic backdrop to the area.

Grand Aley Hotel

Also known as the Gebeily Hotel, the Grand Aley was built by 3 wealthy brothers from Beirut in 1926. The hotel was highly regarded for hosting lively parties, gambling, exclusive fashion shows and many other events, which attracted people like Farid Al Atrash and Umm Kulthum.

It was also renowned for serving superb French cuisine. During World War Two, however, it became a military base after which it reopened its doors only to be closed again with the onset of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975.

Al Kassouf Hotel

Built in the 1930s, Al Kassouf Hotel was a historic place. It was a glorious mansion that welcomed kings, queens, presidents, and celebrities from all over the world like King Farouk and the Lebanese President Camille Chamoun. Among the well-known figures who spent their quality time, there were Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Farid Al Atrash, Oum Koulthoum who used to enjoy sitting in the vast dining room, overlooking the beautiful natural landscape which is rich with pine trees and breathtaking natural views.

In 1935, the first Miss Lebanon beauty pageant took place in that grandiose venue and Miss Jamila Al Khalil won the title. Mohamed Abdel Wahab personally attended the event and sang to her his famous song Youth and Beauty in your Hands, which was written by the famous poet Al Akhtal Al Saghir who was impressed by the elected Queen and dedicated the poem to her.

In 1962, Dhour Shweir organized Miss Lebanese Emigrant’s event in honor of the Emigrants and their children all over the world to maintain the national linkage between the young generation of emigrants and their homeland roots.

Saint George Hotel

Built in the late 1920s by the Parisian architect Auguste Perret who came to Beirut to design the building with Antoine Tabet, this landmark was the hot spot for the rich and famous. The building was severely damaged during Lebanon's civil war, and in recent years towering buildings and marina development have gained much supremacy over it.

Hotel Amrieh

Amriyeh Hotel was once one of Lebanon’s biggest hotels and a touristic hot spot. It was owned by Kayssar Amer and had its own theater and cinema. The hotel was located at Bekfaya’s entrance on the mountainside surrounded by pine trees and offering a breathtaking view to its visitors. Based on an article published in Al-Modon, renowned Lebanese comedian and actor Chouchou (Hassan Alaa Eddin) had his own show there and President Bashir Gemayel once gave a speech at the hotel.