Khan el Frenj in Saida transformed into a space to foster tourism and hosts a showroom for women-made handicrafts

Al Diyar newspaper published a report on Khan el Frenj located in the center of Saida and which was transformed into a small hostel for tourists and a space for exhibiting local products.  Al Hariri Foundation had started in 1992 working on repairing the space including reinforcing the infrastructure and the stone work.  Khan el Frenj is a stone construction with two entrances and two floors.  The ground floor includes 36 units which used to house the merchandise of French traders and provide stables for their horses.  The first floor includes 50 units formerly used as lodgings for foreign traders.  Six of these units have now been equipped to become a small hostel available at symbolic prices to tourists and so as to encourage tourism in the area.  The remainder units are now allocated to Lebanese crafts producers to encourage young artists as well as Anamiluna Foundation which works to support women through training in embroidery and knitting.  One of the units was given to the Ministry of Social Affairs to exhibit traditional Lebanese crafts and another is used by the Ministry of Tourism to help tourist and provide them with information about the history of Khan el Frenj.
Source: Al-Diyar 4 December 2013