Ashrafieh Beirut Lebanon:
Ashrafieh is among the oldest Christian district of the Eastern Beirut. It lies on the hilly region of the East Beirut alongside the seashore. It is sometimes spelled as Achrafieh, as well. It is used for both residential and commercial purposes. It is characterized by huge apartments, narrow and congested streets and office buildings. Ashrafieh is a best area of interest for investors and tourists.
In the past times Ashrafieh was mainly used for farming by several Christian families that lived here for centuries. Later on it was modernized and roads and highways were constructed by the Lebanese government that was working under the French Mandate at that time. These Christians families were forced to sell their land to the Lebanese government.
Previously, Ashrafieh was ruled by the seven economically and socially influential Christian (Greek Orthodox) families. These families actually created the Beirut High Society for several centuries and years.
These families were:
- Fayad
- Ferneini
- Bustros
- Sursock
- Trad
- Tueini
- Araman
Ashrafieh is divided into several small areas, which include:
- Jaitaweh
- Fassouh
- Gemmayzeh
- Gouraud
- Karem El-Zaitoun
- Monot
- Sodeco
- Sioufi
- Sursock
- Escalier de Saint Nicolas
- Sassine
Famous Buildings:
Important and Prominent buildings of Ashrafieh neighboring area "St Nicolas" include:
- Sursocj House
- Sursock Museum
- Sofi Building
Famous Builsdings of the Ashrafieh neighboring area "Tabaris" include:
- 812 Tabaris
- Ashrafieh Tower
- Yared Building
- Metropolis
- L'Hermitage Building
