Agenor Hotel

Agenor Hotel was once known by the people of Damascus as “Beit Al-Namsawi” (“The Austrian’s House”) when it was built by Dr. Wardi Shan Bek Al-Masihi, an Austrian-born Christian who was one of the most prominent doctors at the Military Hospital in Damascus (Kheskhaneh Al-Sham). In 1882 AD, he purchased the ruined hill outside Bab Sharqi from the Imperial Estates Department and turned it into what became known as “Bab Sharqi Park.”There is also a common misconception:That the house was built by a doctor of Austrian origin and later served as the honorary consulate of the Austrian Empire (which is incorrect). The truth is, the palace was built in 1870 in an architectural style inspired by Aramean, Roman, Phoenician, and Arab civilizations, blending them into a captivating meeting point. This palace is now known as Agenor Hotel.The people of Damascus referred to it as “Beit Al-Namsawi,” located near the Bab Touma neighborhood in Old Damascus.It is important to clarify:Dr. Wardi Shan did indeed build the house—this is accurate. However, it was not located in the Bab Touma area, but rather on the Straight Street, formerly known as Jaddat Al-Kharab, at its intersection with Zuqaq Al-Hadid alley (exactly at the corner), and not in Bab Touma.— For reference and clarification, from The Damascus Encyclopedia by Imad Al-Armashi.#Heritage_And_Future