In Tripoli, a city long marked by sectarian conflict and mistrust between neighbouring communities, MARCH’s mission stands solid in challenging long-held perceptions and changing how the city’s past is understood. What once divided residents of Jabal Mohsen and Beb El Tebbeneh is now the path of a unique walking experience called the Love and War Tour.
The Love and War Tour invites visitors to walk along the former demarcation lines that once symbolized conflict and tension. This route, officially recognised on Lebanon’s tourist map by the Ministry of Tourism, retraces streets where battles were fought and where suspicion once stood between neighbours.
What makes the tour remarkable is who guides it: Former Fighters Lead the Way to What they Once Destroyed
Instead of traditional tour guides, the hosts are former fighters and youth from both communities who have transformed their personal histories of confrontation into stories of reconciliation. They share first-hand accounts of life before and after the ceasefire, offering insights that cannot be found in textbooks or headlines.
The Love and War Tour: Starting at Kahwetna
The journey begins at Kahwetna, MARCH’s cultural hub on Syria Street. Kahwetna itself stands on what used to be a front line, visitors begin with an introduction to the history and culture of the area.
Into the Souks
From there, participants walk through iconic streets such as Sayde Street, Furun Street, and Souk al Tyeb, exploring souks, historic buildings, and cornerstones of a neighbourhood once shadowed by conflict.
This immersive experience is much more than a tour. It is a bridge between “then” and “now,” where personal stories challenge preconceived notions and invite deep reflection. The tour shows how communities can rise above the narratives of war and rediscover shared humanity.
For Tripoli, the Love and War Tour contributes to reviving economic activity in marginalised areas, promoting ethical tourism, and countering stigma associated with neighbourhoods once seen as conflict zones. It invites both locals and visitors to rethink the city, not as a place of division, but as a space where healing and unity are possible. It sheds light more on Tripoli.
In a country where old wounds often persist, this tour stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, resilience, and community-led change , proving that the path from war to love runs through mutual understanding and shared histories.
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