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Modern Capital, Venerable Past
Beirut, with its million-plus inhabitants, conveys a sense
of life and energy that is immediately apparent. This
dynamism is echoed by Capital’s geographical position: a
great promontory jutting into the blue sea with dramatic
mountains rising behind it. A city with a venerable past,
5,000 years ago Beirut was a prosperous town on the
Canaanite and Phoenician coast.
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The
famous "Pigeon's Rock" |
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The City That Would Not Die
Beirut survived a decade and a half of conflict and so has
earned the right to call itself "the City that would not
die." As if to demonstrate this resiliency, the Lebanese
have launched a great rush of building activity, including
the public service infrastructure.
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In the ruined City Center, a huge reconstruction project is
has created a new commercial and residential district
for the 21st century.
Commerce is second nature to Beirutis,
who long ago discovered that their port city on the
East-West cross-roads was ideally placed for trading and
business all kinds. A banking center with free currency
ex-change, the chief employment here is in trade, banking,
construction, import-export and service industries. |
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Beirut - a general view |
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The Lebanese capital enjoys a vigorous press that publishes
in Arabic, English, French and Armenian. Five Universities
help keep ideas and innovations flowing.
The flourishing art scene, including theater, film making,
music and plastic arts adds to the sense that is indeed a
city on the move.
Its many advantages also make Beirut a natural venue for
international, regional or local conferences and
conventions. Beirut’s Port,
the largest in the eastern Mediterranean, is equipped to
handle tens of freight and passenger vessels.
Further updating of its busy facilities will be made as part
of Lebanon’s general reconstruction plan.
Beirut International Airport, which serves the national
carrier Middle East Airlines and numerous foreign airlines,
will have an annual capacity of six million passengers by
the start of the 21st century. |
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Historical Heritage
Beirut stands on the site of a very ancient settlement
going back at least 5,000 years. Its name appeared in
cuneiform inscriptions as early as the 14th century B.C.
In the first century B.C., Berytus, as it was then
called, became a Roman Colony and under Roman rule was
the seat of a famous Law school which continued into the
Byzantine era. |
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A
rebuilt alley in Downtown Beirut |
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But the power and the glory of Berytus were
destroyed by a triple catastrophe of earthquake, tidal
wave and fire in 551 A.D. In the following century Arab
Muslim forces took the city and in 1110 it fell into the
Crusaders. Beirut remained in Crusader hands until 1291
when it was conquered by the Mamlukes. Ottoman rule
began in 1516, continuing for 400 years later until the
defeat of the Turks in World War I.
The French Mandate Period followed and in 1943 Lebanon
gained its independence.
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Uncovering
the Past
A city continuously inhabited for millennia, until
recently most of the few archaeological discoveries in
Beirut were accidental. However the war's end in 1991
provided opportunity for more comprehensive and scientific
investigation.
Beneath the ruined downtown area, which is under
reconstruction, lie the remains of Ottoman, Mamluke,
Crusader, Abbassid, Omayyad, Byzantine, Roman, Persian,
Phoenician and Canaanite Beirut. With luck, a good portion
of Beirut's history will be uncovered before reconstruction
is complete.
Beginning in 1993, archaeologists and builders began
cooperating on just such a project. Teams from Lebanese and
foreign institutions have found significant remains from
each of Beirut's historical periods. All discoveries are
being carefully recorded and many will be preserved. |
Reconstruction
The 1.8 million-square-meter reconstruction
project for Beirut's Central District includes hotels,
office space and residential areas. But not all the
buildings will be new. Some 256 structures will be
restored by 1998, plus historic mosques
and churches. Beirut's souks or markets will be
reconstructed in the traditional
style by 1999. Solidere, the private company taking on
the challenge of this 25-years project, plans a modern
infrastructure of roads utilities, public areas and
marine works. More than half a million square meters of
landfill will provide land for two marinas, a seaside
promenade and a green park. |
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The
Parliament Square clock tower |
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Roman & Byzantine Structures |
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Ancient Roman baths |
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SIGHTS AROUND BEIRUT
Roman
and Byzantine Structures -
Group of five columns
These columns found on the left of the St. George
Maronite Cathedral, were once part of a grand colonnade
of Roman Berytus. They were found in 1963.
Roman Exedra
Discovered west of the St. George Maronite Cathedral,
this semi-circular cultural building was moved in 1963
to Blvd. Charles Helou near the eastern entrance to
the modern port.
Roman baths
Behind Bank Street are the remains of the Roman bath
which once served the city's population. Originally
discovered in 1968-69, it underwent a thorough cleaning
and further excavation in 1995 - 1997.
Four corniced columns
These columns in front of the Parliament Building in
Nejmeh Square were discovered
in 1968-69.
Highly carved colonnade
Found in the 1940's between Nejmeh Square and the Great
mosque, this five column colonnade is part of the Roman
basilica. The columns were later erected across from the
National museum on Damascus Street.
Floor Mosaics
These mosaics came from a Byzantine church of the 5th
century A.D. They were moved from Khalde south of Beirut
to a site near the National Museum in the 1950's.
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Crusaders, Mamluke and Ottoman Structures-Medieval
wall
An excavated wall dating from Crusader and Mamluke
times can be seen north of Weygand Street along the old
Patriarch Howayyek street.
Crusader Castle
A large Crusader land castle once stood near the present
port area. Excavations in 1995 revealed a large
well-preserved section of the foundation wall complete
with Roman column drums used as bond-stones or
reinforcements.
The Grand Serail
Constructed in 1853, as an ottoman military
barracks, this building was the headquarters of the
French governor during the French Mandate. After
Lebanon's Independence, it became the Governmental
Palace.
Ottoman Clock Tower
Located near the Grand Serail, this tower was built
in 1897 and restored in 1994.
Ottoman Military Hospital
Just in front of the Grand Serail, this large building
was constructed in 1860 as a military hospital. From the
French Mandate Period until the 1960's it served as Law
Courts. Completely renovated, it now houses the Council
for Development and Reconstruction.
Al-Omari Mosque
Originally the Crusader Cathedral of St. John (1113
- 1115 A.D.), the building was transformed into the
city's Grand Mosque by the Mamlukes in 1291.
Zawiyat Ibn al-'Arraq
Built in 1517 by Mohammed Ibn al-'Arraq ad-Dimashqi,
this building was originally an Islamic law school and
continued as an Islamic sanctuary into late Ottoman
times. It was rediscovered during the post-war clean-up
process in 1991.
Amir 'Assaf Mosque
Also called Bab es-Saray Mosque, this was built by Emir
Mansour 'Assaf (1572 - 1580) on the site of the
Byzantine Church of the Holy Savior.
Located opposite the Municipal Building.
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Beirut Municipality building |
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The
Governmental Palace |
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Central District "Souks" |
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Amir munzer Mosque
The Amir Munzer Mosque was built in 1620 on an earlier
structure. Also called Naoufara (Foountain) Mosque,
there are eight Roman columns in its courtyard.
Majidjiyyeh Mosque
This mosque was constructed in the mid-19th century and
named after the Ottoman Sultan Abdul-Majid I
(1839-1861).
The
Greek-Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George
Until the recent war in Lebanon this church, built in
1767, was the oldest functioning church in Beirut. The
decorations on its walls were lost during the war.
The Greek-Catholic cathedral of Saint Elias
This mid-19th century church with it's vaulted
interior was once decorated with a marble iconostasis.
The Saint Louis Church of the Capucins
Inaugurated in 1863, this church served the foreign
community of the Latin rite in Beirut.
The Evangelical Church
This church was built in 1867 by a group of Evangelical
Anglo-American missionaries.
The Maronite Cathedral of Saint George
Built in 1888, the style of this church is
neo-classical. |
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Sarcophagus dating back to 200 B.C |
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(See
Museums Section) |
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The
National Museum
Opened in 1942 to house Lebanon’s archeological
treasures, the National Museum on Damascus Street is
temporarily closed.
Projects are underway to restore the building and
gradually bring this national institution back to its
former importance.
Sursock Museum
A museum of modern art located in the Sursock Quarter in
Achrafieh.
In addition to its permanent collection, it presents
regular exhibitions of paintings, sculpture and other
art forms.
The Archeological Museum of the American University of
Beirut (AUB)
Open weekdays 10 AM - 4PM except
on academic holidays. |
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Raouché
On Beirut’s western-most tip, is a popular area
with something for everyone. Its most famous landmark is
Pigeon Rocks, huge formation which stands like sentinels
off the coast. Numerous restaurants in Raouché serve
local and foreign cuisine, while cliff-side cafés offer
a good range of snacks. But walking and jogging are the
favorite pastimes on this seaside promenade.
The shores near Pigeon Rocks have yielded the oldest
evidence we have of human existence on the site of
Beirut.
Flints and basic tools found here are displayed in the
AUB Archaeological Museum. |
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Beirut's
seaside courniche |
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Things To
Do
University campuses are common venue for cultural events form
abroad as well as local productions. The American University
of Beirut and Lebanese American University, with their
lovely, park-like campuses are pleasant places to visit.
Tours
A number of tour companies provide a wide selection of
excursions around Lebanon. |
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Sports
Those who appreciate the best in horse racing will
enjoy Beirut's racetrack, where every Sunday pure bred
Arabians run.
Beirut's Golf Club is open to foreign visitors who can use
the 9-hole course, swimming pool, squash and tennis courts
for a moderate fee. Along Beirut's shores are many resort
complexes, beaches and swimming clubs with aquatic
amusements and sports on offer. More exercise is available
at health clubs in the city. |
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Shopping
Name what you want and it is almost sure to be available
in the shops and street markets of Beirut. Traditional
crafts, high fashion, jewelry or everyday needs, all are
easy to find. Most standard shopping can be done in the Mar
Elias area, Hamra Street, Rashid Karamé Street (ex Verdun),
Ashrafieh and Furn el-Shebback.
Bargain hunters are urged to try Bourj Hammoud and
Basta-Tahta. |
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