A Bygone Era
Traditional furnishings and antiques are true to the original character of the building, from chrystal chandaliers to beautifully woven carpets and 18th century ornaments.
Villa Asmahan
Aley
Abro & Asmahan
On the border of Aley and Dhour el-Abadiyeh, is a fairytale castle with an intriguing history.
Villa Asmahan (as it is commonly known) was built circa 1940s, by Armenian business man Abro Abroyan.
The residence was designed by the Armenian architect Mardouros Altounian, also architect of the Lebanese Parliament House in Beirut and Abed Tower (among others).
Abro Abroyan was originally from Constantinople, and suffered the effects of the Armenian genocide.
In 1920, he established a highly successful knitting factory, the size of a city block, in Bourj Hammoud, old Sin el Fil Road. Taking advantage of the boycott on imports during World War 2, the firm emerged as a leading business and – by the end of the 1960s – it managed two large production plants supplying the Lebanese and Arab markets. Abroyan was famous in most of the Arab countries, especially Lebanon, as his textiles were competitive to those produced in Europe.
Fact or Fiction?
Abro Abroyan was one of the founders of the Lebanese Chamber for Commerce and Industry, where he continued as a member for many years. He was an active member of AGBU (Armenian General Benevolent Union) and was also well-known for his generosity to the Armenian church in Etchmiadzin (Yerevan, Armenia). He died 28 May 1960. His factory continued to operate for many years, eventually unable to compete with imports.
The famous chanteuse Amal El Atrach (better known by her stage name, Asmahan), was born on November 25, 1917, in Syria. She died on July 14, 1944. She was the sister of the famous singer and musician, Farid El Atrache.
According to legend, Abro Abroyan built the villa as a gift for Asmahan. Some say that Asmahan stayed in the villa whenever she was in Aley, performing at venues including Hotel Tanios and Casino Piscine Aley. Others say Asmahan never set foot inside the villa.
Whatever the version of events, the name stuck and the residence is known as Villa Asmahan.
Inside & Out
Today, Villa Asmahan is beautifully restored – inside and out. The gardens are as one would imagine them to have been in the castle’s golden days. Giant pines and fir trees line the driveways, almost obscuring parts of the mansion from view.
The villa’s trademark red turret roof is still as it was some 70 years ago.
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Villa Asmaham was built on three titles, covering some 8,300 square metres.
Villa Asmahan
Villa Asmahan is today primarily a location for weddings and functions.
Heather & Sami Eljurdi
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