Beiteddine Palace is that magical place that mesmerizes you with its greatness. After all it is the house of faith and the emblem of power! Let us tell you about this glorious fabulous historical building that dates back to the 19th century.
Beiteddine Palace Location
Beiteddine Palace is located in the mountains of the Chouf, in the town of Beiteddine. The monument was shaded by Emir Bashir Shehab II. The construction of this 2.44 km square palace began around 1806 and lasted several years. Every meter of the palace is breathtaking!
The Building Process
It is said that Prince Emir Shehab II employed European architects and the most professional Lebanese builders Rustum and Youssef Maja’is, with Syrian workers from Damascus, to build this majestic palace. Mosaics and Polish marble were shipped from Florence to Italy, adding European pageantry and modernity. The end result is a perfect blend of patterns, wonderful decorations, special colors and great architectural geometry. The building itself conveys a mix of European and Arabic culture.
A Great Mix of Cultures
The construction of the beiteddine palace and it’s beauty are not the only reasons why this building is so imposing and popular. It’s also about the multiple events that took place within that building several years after it’s construction. After Emir Bashir Shehab II, the Ottomans occupied the palace as their own. From 1860 to 1915, Administrators of Mount Lebanon held beiteddine Palace. During the 1st World War, the French mandate authorities occupied the palace until Lebanese Independence. After that, the palace was restored and used by the president at the time, Bechara Khoury. Unfortunately, the palace was later destroyed during the Israeli invasions but was renovated once again around 1984. Now, it is used by the current president as a summer residence.
The Architecture
The palace is made up of three main sections: Dar Al Baraniyyeh, Dar Al Wousta and Dar Al Harim. One should also mention the amazing Museum that it contains.
Dar Al Baraniyyeh
Dar Al Baraniyyeh constitues is the entrance of the beiteddine palace. A big gate welcomes visitors to a wide courtyard refered to as Dar Al Wousta. Below is a 3D view of Dar Al Baraniyyeh.
Dar Al Wousta
In the center of Dar Al Wousta lays a big water fountain. On the left lies another smaller fountain that leads to a beautifully decorated gate. Feel free to explore around with the 3D view of Dar Al Wousta below.
Dar Al Harim
From Dar Al Wousta you can access Dar Al Harim also refered to as “Haramlek”. It includes multiple rooms, a huge kitchen and beautifully decorated bathrooms.
The Musem
Another intresting part of the palace is the musem that contains great historical items such as ancient mosaics and potteries and other intresting artificats.
A Magical Blend of Materials, Colors & Cultures
The entire palace walls are adorned with exquisite mosaics, facades, carved cedar wood and marbles. The beautiful architecture goes hand in hand with the antique furniture. Indeed, as visitors walk through the halls of Beiteddine palace, they quickly feel history and antiquity spouting from it with a rush of excitement specially for those who love architecture and history! It is a magical place that witnessed many different nations and generations. Below is an image from the inside of the palace that is built using cedar wood.
Below is another image that shows how beautiful the palace rooms. If one looks closely to the details, he/she will find how much cultures are blended within one place.
The palace isn’t the only thing visitors enjoy. In fact, the ideal location and spectacular natural views of hills and valleys that surrounds beiteddine palace is breathtaking. It is truly a typical destination for some meditation and peace of mind. Below is a video that shows how beautiful (outside and inside) the palace is.
The Beiteddine Festivals
Some of the intresting events that take place in beiteddine palace in July and August are the annual summer festivals. They include theatre, dance shows and musical events that revive the lebanese folklore and culture. It also include outsatanding performances by world-famous stars and talented Lebanese such as Carla Bruni, George Benson, Magida El Roumi, Kadem Al Sahir, Puccini Opera and more. The palace also hosts international art exhibitions for the general audience.
In Summary
In short, Beiteddine is one of the most valuable archeological sites in Lebanon that draws the attentions of visitors and tourists from all over the world. If you’re an architect or history fan, this is one place you must explore! We highly recommed visitng the palace during spring or fall seasons if you like peace of mind and meditation or during summer and festival seasons if you want to discover culture through music and performances.
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