Adonis Diaries

Discover Vintage Lebanon and Beirut: In pictures

Is Nostalgia beautiful?

The history of Lebanon touches us for reasons that go beyond a vintage tramway gloriously making its way through the old city streets.

This overpowering sense of nostalgia has more to do with being aware of living in a country that has been stabbed in the heart over and over again, and has still managed to come out of it (albeit scarred) alive – as beautiful as ever and as celebrated as ever.

Nur Turkmani posted on Listomania this July 14, 2014

Call it poetic excess, but Lebanon has always reminded me of a fierce, immensely beautiful lady that has been shot at from all directions but still manages to make her way up – time and time again. Let’s take a look back at lady Lebanon. Isn’t she lovely?

Manara, (phare) 1933. (Image via Old Beirut)

Fairouz stars together with Ihsan Sadek in Henri Barakat’s 1967 hit ‘Safarbarlek‘. (Image via NOW Media)

Good day, fine gentlemen. El-Mina (the port), year unknown. (Image via Lebnan Online)

Beirut race track, 1920. (Image via Old Beirut)

Pierre & Friends, anyone? Batroun, 1893. (Image via Habeeb)

This one is just magical. Just magical. Beirut, 1960. (Image via Souar)

Beirut covered in snow, 1920. (Image via Discover Lebanon)

More pedestrians, less traffic. Old is gold. Martyrs’ Square, date unknown. (Image via Discover Lebanon)

AUB Beach, 1940. (Image via Al Mashriq)

A car driving past Byblos Bank, date and area unknown. (Image via Josebox)

A celebration of Lebanon’s independence on November 22 in front of the Parliament building, 1943. (Image via Al Mashri)

Hamra, 1970. (Image via Old Beirut)

Beirut’s airport, 1960. (Image via Old Beirut)

Beirut, 1972. (Image via Swedenburg Blog)

Sheep, men in suits, and sassy women. Rue Georges Picot, 1958. (Image via National Geographic)

This photo was taken by Thomas J. Abercrombie for the National Geographic and its original description read, “For variety, few cities can match Lebanon’s bustling capital. Part Christian, part Moslem, Beirut combines East and West, ancient and modern. Contrasts stand out vividly in street scenes such as this on the Rue Georges Picot.”