Situated on a mountain, overlooking the gorgeous Hammana Lamartine valley, Sawfar, also spelled Sofar, is a quaint town located in Aley.
It is found nearby the highway connecting Beirut and Damascus and welcomes hundreds of visitors yearly.
People seek Sawfar for its peaceful escapes
Sawfar’s name comes from the Syriac word for bird, Asfour
Residents of Beirut have historically built gorgeous summer residences in Sawfar
Their villas in Sawfar were their summer residences where they would evade Beirut’s heat to enjoy a cooler and refreshing climate.
In winter, Sawfar is capped with snow for at least 30 days, gaining a new seasonal beauty
The charming town holds stories from a dashing and lively past
A lifestyle that was stolen by the war, yet the vestiges of a glorious past remain.
Once upon a time, the railway station of Ain Sofar
It was a strategic commuting point. It was built by the Ottomans in 1880 and linked Beirut to Rayyak.
The Grand Sawfar Hotel, a marvel of old Lebanon’s times
This marvel of hotel was built in the 1890s by the Sursock family. It was by far the most attractive site in Sawfar.
It was a very popular destination for tourists because it housed one of Lebanon’s earliest casinos
The legendary hotel recently reopened to the public
It serves as a grand venue for the most ethereal Lebanese weddings.
Another abandoned marvelous place: Donna Maria Sursock’s villa
This still-impressive villa was built in 1909 by the husband of Donna Maria: Alfred Sursock.
The natural beauty of its gardens has prevailed. One can easily imagine the lifestyle it once hosted:
