The Village

Between the 18th century and 1928, Lebanon’s main source of income was its magnaneries, or silk mills. Today, they represent a precious heritage. They bear witness to a very important period in Lebanese history and to a specific architectural style.

They were places of economic dynamism, popular gatherings and collective, and therefore social, work. Despite an astonishing investment effort on the part of the wealthy or noble families of the various regions, this activity was unable to develop or maintain itself, due to the very strong competition from Asian countries (China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand), which dominated the world manufacture of silk yarn.

Unfortunately, most of these silkworm nurseries have been abandoned or are in danger of being demolished because their owners are finding it difficult to find a new purpose for them. The few that are still standing are there purely by chance.

The one at Fraykeh, a Lebanese heritage site in Metn, is one of the few to have been saved; it was bought by Mounir ABOU-DEBS in 1972 and he very quickly embarked on successive basic restoration projects, even during the dark days of the civil war, which enabled it to remain standing. It was built around 1850. The vernacular style of its windows, doors and chimney bear witness to the historical importance of the architectural language of the period. Because of its layout and organisation, the silkworm nursery has a spectacular view over the Nahr-el-Kalb valley, Kesrouan and Sannine mountain.

Since 1983, a number of cultural events have taken place here, including the installation of the Modern Theatre School. And the organisation of an annual festival, now in its 11th year.