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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.
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 underway to create 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.
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 |
View of Bliss Street and AUB Campus |
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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.
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.
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.
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Model of the new Marina |
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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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| S I G H T S A R O U N D
B E I R U T
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Roman Baths |
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- 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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Ottoman Clock Tower |
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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 |
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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.
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). |
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- Churches -
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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National Museum |
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- Museums -
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.
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Sursock Museum |
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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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Raouché |
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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 around Lebanon.
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Food and Entertainment
Restaurants specializing in Lebanese food
offer a chance to sample this well known cuisine at its most
authentic.
A large selection of foreign restaurants
serve cooking from around the world in surroundings as elegant
or as cozy as you desire. Night life in Beirut is non-stop.
Discos, dinner-dancing, bars and pubs |
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the fun. You can sample some of the trendiest places going or
opt for super-sophisticated night-clubs. The Casino du Liban,
with its luxurious gaming rooms, is another favorite.
Turkish Bath
The Al-Nouzha Bath last operating public
Bath located in Basta Tahta, provides a real glimpse of old
Beirut. Although not traditional in style, the scrubdown you
get is authentic. Sauna, steam room and massage facilities
can be found as well.
Women's hours: Monday mornings; men's, all other times.
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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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Ramlet el-Baida on the south coast of Beirut
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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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