History of Hammana

The word "Hammana" may have come from the name of the Phoenician Sun God Hammon" or "Hamman". These two names are derived from the word "Hama" which means heat of the sun.

The 19th century French poet, novelist and statesman Alphonse De Lamartine visited Lebanon and spent some time in Hammana. He described the town and its surrounding lush valley in his “Voyages en Orient” (1835) as "one of the most beautiful prospects ever presented to the human eye to scan in the works of God".

Hammana has given the world great humanitarian persons, among them Doctor Ma Haide (George Hatem) who helped save China from many diseases of the new age, and who was honored by naming the square in the front the town's square after him