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Until
the end of the 19th century
Aley was just another small mountain
village, but when the railroad linking
Beirut with Damascus was built in 1892
- 95 it took on a new life.
The train (no longer operating)
made it easy for residents of Beirut
to summer here.
Some of the Ottoman governors
of Mount Lebanon also chose Aley as
their summer residences and the
train station was often crowded with
elegant passengers and their retinues.
With time, Aley became one of
the most |
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celebrated summer villages
in
Lebanon. Nearby Bhamdoun also
benefited from railroad as it
developed into a large, popular
resort.
Sofar at an elevation of 1,280
meters was another stop on the
Beirut-Damascus railroad and, in fact,
is said to have earned its name from
the train’s whistle (saufar in
Arabic).
Sofar is known for its lovely
tree-shaded “corniche” overlooking
the Metn river valley and Mount
Kneiseh.
There is also the war-ruined
but still impressive Grand Hotel and
many beautiful old houses to admire.
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Major
Cities - Aley, Bhamdoun Sofar
