Tucked away in the serene alleyways of Damascus’ historic Jewish Quarter is Bait Farhy, or Beit al-Muallim. This stunning mansion, built in the late 18th century, once belonged to the prominent Jewish merchant and advisor Yousef Farhy. This traditional Damascene house is a remarkable example of Damascene architecture. It stands as a vibrant reminder of the diverse cultural heritage that has shaped old Syria over the centuries.
Bait Farhy was home to the influential Farhy family, one of the most powerful Jewish families in Damascus. Rafael Farhy (1774–1846), a prominent member of the family, served as the financial advisor to the Ottoman sultan. This rare and prestigious position granted the family wealth, political influence, and deep connections within the empire.His family was among the many Jewish families who lived peacefully in Damascus for centuries, forming an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric. The house stands in the Al-Amin neighborhood, near the old Jewish quarter, and is considered by many historians and locals alike to be the finest example of Damascene architecture.
The architecture of Bait Farhy is a dazzling fusion of traditional Arab design and European elegance. Visitors are captivated by its ornate ceilings, hand-painted walls, and carved wooden elements. The deep red ceiling, highlighted with golden frames and geometric symmetry, is one of its most iconic features—showing the sophisticated aesthetic of the time.While it may not be on the usual tourist trail, Bait Farhy offers a quiet, evocative glimpse into Damascus’s layered past — a reminder of the city’s diverse communities and its once-thriving Jewish heritage.
Bait Farhy is more than just a beautiful house; it’s a window into Jewish life in Damascus during the Ottoman era. For centuries, the Jewish community was a vital part of the city’s economy and social fabric. With its well-preserved interiors and artifacts, Bait Farhy offers us a glimpse into that rich history and the vibrant diversity that once characterized the capital.
Stepping into Bait Farhy feels like taking a journey back in time. Inside, you’ll discover period furniture, intricate decorative inlays, and ceilings that beautifully combine Arab geometric patterns with Ottoman and European styles. Some rooms were crafted for entertaining esteemed guests, while others offer a glimpse into the family’s private life, weaving together a captivating story through their architecture and decor.
One of the most remarkable and rare features of Bait Farhy is its central heating system, an innovation far ahead of its time. The house’s beautiful marble fountains were not only decorative but also served a functional purpose in regulating the indoor temperature. Warm water circulated through hidden channels connected to these fountains, providing a unique form of heating that was virtually unheard of in 18th-century Damascus—and remains rare even today.
Today, this house stands as a powerful symbol of Syria’s layered identity, a land where Muslims, Christians, and Jews coexisted for centuries. Its preservation reminds us of the importance of embracing and sharing Syria’s pluralistic past with new generations and the world.
Bait Farhy is not just a historical site; it’s a visual masterpiece. Photographers will enjoy capturing the light bouncing off colored walls, intricate woodwork, and ceiling art. It’s a dream location for lovers of hidden architecture and lesser-known stories.
If you’re exploring Syria and passionate about hidden history, Bait Farhy is a must-see. It’s a reminder of Damascus’ golden past—rich, diverse, and full of stories waiting to be rediscovered.
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Josh Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
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