The Soap Museum: A fragrant journey through Sidon's history

The Soap Museum, also known as the Audi Soap Museum, is a unique cultural gem nestled in the heart of Old Town Sidon. This museum isn't just about soap; it's a fragrant journey through the history of soap making in the Levant. The museum is housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century soap factory, originally built by the Hammoud family and later expanded by the Audi family in the 19th century. The factory operated for over 300 years before closing in 1975. The Audi Foundation undertook the restoration and transformed it into a museum, which opened in November 2000. Parts of the structure even date back to the 13th century. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits detailing the history, development, and manufacturing techniques of soap making in the region. See artifacts discovered during excavation, including clay pipe heads from the 17th to 19th centuries and pottery fragments. One can witness demonstrations of traditional olive oil soap production and learn about the history of hammams (bathhouses). The museum also showcases the variety of forms, perfumes, and colors of soaps produced from Aleppo to Nablus. The ingredients used in traditional soap making include olive oil, laurel oil, and traditional perfumes. The museum also features a gift shop where you can purchase handmade soaps and other locally produced items.