Achrafieh

Achrafieh (Arabic: الأشرفية‎), also spelled Ashrafieh and Ashrafiyeh, is one of the oldest districts of Beirut, Lebanon.

Overview

Achrafieh is located in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. It is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets, coffee shops and prestigious large apartment and office buildings. It is a prime location for investment and tourism.

Until the 1930s, Achrafieh was largely composed of farmland owned and farmed by several Greek Orthodox Christian families that had ruled the country and the region for centuries. The Lebanese government, which at the time was under French Mandate, partitioned the land in Achrafieh to build roads and highways, forcing these families to eventually sell large parts of their land.

Achrafieh used to be ruled by seven socially and economically prominent Greek Orthodox Christian families that formed Beirut's High Society for centuries: Trad, Fernaine, Araman, Bustros, Sursock, Fayyad, Tueini, the list of names had never been certified as some say Boutros, Jbeili, Fiani and Geday, El Habre are among the seven families.