Abandoned Lebanon

Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned places in Lebanon— once thriving buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating coffee table photo book. Lebanon is a country that still holds many secrets of what life was like there prior to the civil war, and more recently the Beirut port blast.

Inside, we discover ruins, deserted buildings, and glamorous architecture all tucked away from the public eye. These include the abandoned mansion of a former prime minister, one of the most remarkable buildings in Zokak el-Blat, Beirut, a once glorious hotel now bearing its war wounds, a 17th-century palace in Deir El Qamar, and a stunning yet unfinished passion project, where each arch of the structure reflects a different civilization.

Award-winning photographer James Kerwin’s love affair with Lebanon started in 2017 when he began his research into locating interesting, unique, and abandoned architecture. That relationship grew stronger when he finally set foot in the country for the first time in 2019, and began uncovering these architectural delights.