The capital of Lebanon offers many interesting sights and oddities for those who decide to visit with life in the city today still influenced by its history
It might seem like a contradiction and even difficult to understand, but Beirut is a city that has adapted to the current way of living, forgetting its harsh past but at the same time never pushing it into the background. Beirut is a whole lot more than just the capital of Lebanon. It’s a city which has managed to live in the present without letting its past burden it too much.
Today, Beirut has been transformed into a city that impresses all who visit it thanks to its contrasts and anomalies:
– The Green Line: Between 1975 and 1990 Beirut was divided from north to south by one of its principal streets, Damascus Street. Guarded 24 hours a day by soldiers from both sides, the name refers to the fine line of grass that began to grow there as the space was uninhabited. Today, cars drive through the area without any problem and both parts of the city are united again.
– The Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque: In the well-known Martyrs’ Square, an open area used for demonstrations, we have the mosque, which looks like a smaller version of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, standing in stark contrast to the surroundings with its eye-catching intense blue domes. Rafiq Hariri, the prime minister of the country on two occasions was buried here after being assassinated in 2005. Next to the mosque, we have yet another contrast, Saint George’s Maronite Cathedral which was built between 1884 and 1894. Once again, Islam and Christianity are surprisingly close in the city.
– Modern and bullet riddled buildings: The centre, the most affected area during the Civil War, is today a mix of pristine modern buildings and expensive shops and structures nearby riddled with bullets and lying in ruins, making it an alluring contrast for many visitors to Beirut.
– The Corniche: Beirutis stroll along this seaside promenade, visit the lighthouse, enjoy the landscape, the sunsets and the weekend. Social status or religion are not important here. Today, the Corniche is a meeting point for all members of society in Beirut.
Le Royal Beirut Hotel***** is undoubtedly one of the best accommodation options in Beirut. It boasts the largest water park in the entire Middle East, spread over 20,000m2 and full of attractions and rides with slides, tunnels, and a crazy river to travel down on inflatable tubes. The park also features a host of restaurants and bars.
