Bashar al-Assad’s former summer residence, a lavish Mediterranean villa with a rich history of authoritarian rule, is now open to tourists, offering a glimpse into the life of Syria’s most infamous leader.
A Glimpse into the Past: Bashar al-Assad’s Former Summer Residence Now Open to Tourists
A long, winding road leads to what was once the family home of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad just outside Latakia on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. The property is surrounded by lush orange trees and olive trees, with dozens of Syrians cutting and collecting wood branches from the forest. This was a previously off-limits area, reserved for the Assad family.
The gate of the summer villa is now flanked by a large group of armed guards, who let cars in and allow visitors to enter like it’s a museum. The modern white building is surrounded by gardens of cacti, palm trees, and various flowers. The sprawling villa was built 50 years ago and features a massive kitchen, a swimming pool, and a private beach.
Upon entering the house, one finds it completely empty of furniture, with wires exposed on the walls where TVs were snatched, light fixtures yanked from ceilings, glass shattered, sinks pulled from bathroom counters, and heating and air conditioning units gone. It’s easy to get lost in the villa amid countless walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms with modern showers, and bedroom after bedroom.
The primary bathroom has a large Jacuzzi bathtub that overlooks the Mediterranean, while the toilet, shower, and mirror are all smashed in. The huge kitchen has a bar, large sinks, and countertops fit for a professional chef. On the walls of one of the living rooms is black spray-painted graffiti cursing the recently deposed ruler.
Syrians who were previously terrified to speak out against Assad are now freely wandering around what was once his living room. Residents of nearby villages cut firewood from the trees surrounding the former Assad summer villa, while others take photographs inside the grounds.
The gardens outside are well-manicured and vast, with a space for entertaining that includes a pizza oven, a bar, and an area to cook. The swimming pool is accompanied by a row of showers and bathrooms to rinse off in after a dip. This was home to one of the most secretive dictators in the world, and now Syrians can experience it firsthand.
As Mohamed Ismail, 25, poses for a photo on one of the multiple balconies, he expresses both fascination and bitterness towards the house. “He kept his people living in poverty while he lived in a palace with a million rooms,” he says about the former president.
The villa’s history serves as a stark reminder of the Assad regime‘s authoritarian rule, which lasted for decades. Today, Syrians can explore this piece of their country’s past and gain insight into the life of one of its most infamous leaders.
