Sursock family
Encyclopedia
Sursock is a Greek Orthodox, Lebanese
family and one of Beirut's
aristocratic families. The Sursock family made their money as traders. The Sursocks were also landowners and for many decades Lebanon's leading business family, joining forces with the Otis Elevator Company
to manufacture elevators. Rue Sursock
in the Achrafieh
district in Beirut
is named after the family, which owned many palatial homes on the street, such as the Sursock House
.
, in Palestine
. The land encompassed 13 villages in the Emek. It is believed that the Sursock family sold the land in Palestine for nearly three quarters of a million pound to the Jewish National Fund in 1906. The family evicted the Arab tenants of the villages to allow the Jewish settlers to move in.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
family and one of Beirut's
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
aristocratic families. The Sursock family made their money as traders. The Sursocks were also landowners and for many decades Lebanon's leading business family, joining forces with the Otis Elevator Company
Otis Elevator Company
The Otis Elevator Company is the world's largest manufacturer of vertical transportation systems today, principally focusing on elevators and escalators...
to manufacture elevators. Rue Sursock
Rue Sursock
Rue Sursock is a historic street in the Achrafieh district of Beirut in Lebanon. Named after one Beirut's most prominent families, the street is home to many of Beirut's beautiful historic mansions that were built in the 18th and 19th century by aristocratic families such as the Sursock and the...
in the Achrafieh
Achrafieh
Achrafieh, , is one of the oldest Christian districts of East Beirut, Lebanon.-Overview:It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartment and...
district in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
is named after the family, which owned many palatial homes on the street, such as the Sursock House
Sursock House
Sursock House is a grand palace located on Rue Sursock in the city of Beirut in Lebanon. The palace, which was built in 1860 by Moïse Sursock, is owned by Lady Cochrane Sursock, an advocate of preserving historic buildings in Lebanon.Sursock House, a symbol of the Sursock family's rich history,...
.
20th century land controversy
In addition to owning land in Lebanon, the Sursock family owned more than 60,000 acres (240 km²) the in the Vale of Esdraelon, the Jezreel ValleyJezreel Valley
-Etymology:The Jezreel Valley takes its name from the ancient city of Jezreel which was located on a low hill overlooking the southern edge of the valley, though some scholars think that the name of the city originates from the name of the clan which founded it, and whose existence is mentioned in...
, in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. The land encompassed 13 villages in the Emek. It is believed that the Sursock family sold the land in Palestine for nearly three quarters of a million pound to the Jewish National Fund in 1906. The family evicted the Arab tenants of the villages to allow the Jewish settlers to move in.