Assouline Travel Books Beirut Habibi

Perched on a peninsula reaching into Mediterranean, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, has been a Phoenician port, Roman colony, Ottoman jewel, and French mandate. Each era left its mark. Mediterranean in its geography, Western in its cafés and boulevards, yet profoundly Arab and Levantine in its soul, this is a city that has always attracted seekers: artists, writers, intellectuals, drawn to the magnetic blend of Eastern and Western traditions.Beirut is a city shaped by history, culture, and an enduring spirit of reinvention. After the civil war came to an end in 1990, the city has continued to evolve, preserving its rich heritage while embracing new creative energy. From the Sursock family's palace, a symbol of old Beirut's aristocratic elegance, to the bustling souks and the dramatic Raouché rock formations overlooking the Mediterranean, the city is a captivating blend of contrasts. Lemon trees perfume narrow streets, while cafés, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques bring new life to historic neighborhoods such as Gemmayze. Elie Saab's couture ateliers bring Beirut's elegance to global runways, proving the city's creative spirit endures. Vibrant, sophisticated, and endlessly captivating, Beirut is a city of layers, where Mediterranean beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a dynamic creative spirit come together, all captured in the pages of Beirut Habibi.