| 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 of all kinds. A banking center with free
currency exchange, the chief employment here is in trade, banking,
construction, import-export and service industries.
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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 reconstructions plan. |
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Beirut International Airports, which
serves the national carrier Middle East Airlines and numerous foreign
airlines, will have an annual capacity of six million passengers.
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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| 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
to the Crusaders. Beirut remained in Crusader hands until 1291 when it was
captured by the Mamlukes. Ottoman rule began in 1516, continuing for 400
years 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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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.
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Beneath the ruined downtown area, which 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 buildings began
cooperating on just such as projects. Teams from Lebanese and foreign
institutions have good significant remains from each of Beirut’s
historical periods. All discoveries are being carefully recorded and many
will be preserved.
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The 1.8 million-square-meter reconstruction project
for Beirut’s Central District includes hotel, office space and residential
areas. But not all the buildings will be new. Some 265 structures will be
restored by 2003, plus historic mosques and churches. Beirut’s souks or
markets will be reconstructed in the traditional style by 2004. Solidere,
the private company taking on the challenge of this 25 year 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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Group of five columns
These columns found to the left of the St. George
Maronite Cathedral, were once part of a ground colonnade of Roman Berytus.
They were found in 1963.
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Roman Exedra
Discovered west of the St. George Maronite Cathedral,
this semi-circular culture building was moved in 1963 to Blvd. Charles
Helou near the eastern entrance to the modern part.
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Roman Baths
Behind Bank Street are remains of the Roman bath
which once served the city’s population. Originally discovered in 1968-69,
it underwent a through cleaning and further excavations 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 part of
the Roman basilica. The columns were later erected across from the
National Museum on Damascus Street.
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Floor mosaics
These mosaics came from a Byantine 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.Back
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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 of 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 Independence, it became the Government
Palace.
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Ottoman Military Hospital
Just in front of the Grans 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 7Council for Development and Reconstruction.
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Ottoman Clock Tower
Located near the Grand Serial, this tower was build
in 1897 and restored in 1994.
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Mosques
Al-Omari Mosque
Originally the Crusader Cathedral of St. John
(1113-1150 A.D.), the building was transformed into the city’s Grand
Mosque by the Mamlukes in 1291.
Zawiyat Ibn al-‘Arraq
Build 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 Babe s-Saray Mosque, this was build 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 Munzur Mosque was build in 1620 on an
earlier structure. Also called Naoufara (Fountain) Mosque, there are eight
Roman Columns in its courtyard.
Majidiyyeh 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 Greak-Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George
Until the recent war in Lebanon this church, build in
1767, was the oldest functioning church in Beirut. The decorations on its
walls were lost during the war.
The Greak-Cathloic Cathedral of Saint Elias
This mid-19th century 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 build 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
Opened in 1942 to house Lebanon’s archaeological
treasures.
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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 Archaeological Museum of the American University
of Beirut
Open weekdays 10 AM – 4 PM except on academic
holidays.
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Turkish Bath
The Al-Nouzha Bath, Beirut’s last operating public
bath located in Basta Tahta, provides a real glimpse of old Beirut.
Although not traditional in style, the scurbdown you get is authentic
Sauna, steam room and massage facilities can be found as well. Woman’s
hours: Monday morning, men’s all other times.
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