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Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on one side and mountain ranges on the other, Lebanon, despite its small area, is a land blessed in its landscapes, culture and gastronomy. Throughout history, its privileged geographical location attracted a multitude of peoples who left their mark to give rise to modern Lebanon.. His legacy is found in the archaeological sites scattered throughout the country.
From Phoenician sarcophagi and Roman temples to Crusader castles and Mamluk mosques. Anywhere you can find testimonies of his rich past. That is why a fascinating country like this must be enjoyed in person. Are you accompanying us on this tour of its capital, Beirut?
Multiple times destroyed and many times rebuilt, Beirut is a multifaceted, dynamic city full of contrasts where East and West blend in a charming way.
Beirut surprises travelers with its rich history and the friendliness of its inhabitants. The city is located on a projection in the center of the west coast of the country, so it is in permanent movement and open to all business and commercial interests. However, it is also a great cultural center as it has numerous universities, museums, theaters and monuments.
National Museum of Beirut
Among them, the National Museum of Beirut stands out, with archaeological collections of great value related to Prehistory, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, Greece, Rome, the Byzantine period and the Arab conquest in times of the Mamluks.
The star of the collection is undoubtedly the sarcophagus of Ahiram king of Byblos, which has inscriptions from the Phoenician alphabet. The National Museum of Beirut was inaugurated in 1942.
Other museums to visit are the American University Museum and the Sursock Museum, which houses very interesting paintings, sculptures and manuscripts.
Mohammad al-Amin Mosque
It is the most famous mosque in Beirut and a true emblem of the city. It is characterized by its large size, by its blue dome that contrasts with the beige façade, designed in a traditional style, which has four minarets.
The temple is located in the center of the city and houses the tomb of former Prime Minister Rafiqu Hariri, assassinated in 2005. The interiors are decorated in detail and the floor is covered with a huge carpet. Women must cover themselves with a veil to gain access.
Martyrs Square
Another of the symbols of Beirut is the Martyrs Square, which has a monument that bears witness to the warlike conflicts of the past. The square is located next to the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque.
Sanctuary of San Charbel
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The tomb of Father Charbel is a holy place that houses the uncorrupted remains of a miraculous Lebanese priest who lived during the XNUMXth century. He was canonized for his various miracles and lived as a hermit in the Anaya monastery where today his incorrupt body can be seen. Thousands of curious and faithful come to the place on pilgrimage to ask Father Charnel to intercede for them.
Al Hamra neighborhood
It is one of the most vibrant areas of Beirut due to the fact that it is an active commercial area and on the other because of the presence of the American University of Beirut, one of the most important in the country. Its main thoroughfare is Hamra Street, which runs through the entire West Beirut area and is lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
The Al Hambra neighborhood is the ideal place to discover the rich Lebanese gastronomy. The food of this country is associated with the "mezze" (picada) which consists of a kind of starters, carefully decorated, which are served before the main course. Some of these are: hummus (chickpea puree with sesame paste), mutabbal (eggplant with sesame paste), tabbule (fine wheat salad, tomato and parsley), warak arish (wrapped in grape leaves), labne (yogurt strained seasoned with olive oil and garlic) or fattush (green salad with dry bread), among many others.
We can't forget dessert. Some of the most recommended are oriental ice cream (specially scented), dates, mangoes, pineapple, baklava (the best known sweet in the West made with butter, tahini, walnuts, cinnamon powder, honey and sugar), halva (type of marzipan in the shape of a terrine made with tahine, sugar is added to it and can be filled with pistachios, almonds or pine nuts) or graibes (small cookies with almonds in the shape of an "S" that are garnished with a whole almond).
Rocks of the Doves
To contemplate a beautiful sunset in Beirut, many go to its beaches or to the Rocks of the Pigeons, located in front of Raouche Avenue.. These are visible from the Corniche and make up a unique set of arches sculpted naturally on the rocks.