It was built on a rocky promontory, a site also occupied by prehistoric man. In ancient times it was overshadowed by powerful neighbors, but when the city- states of Sidon began to decline in the first millennium B.C, Beirut acquired more influence. During Roman times, Beirut became a roman colony (15 B.C), and an important port and cultural centre. During the roman and Byzantine eras it was distinguished for its law school, whom professors helped draft the famous Justinian code.
Beirut was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 551 A.D. A century later, it was conquered by the Muslim Arabs and in 1109 it fell to the crusaders. The city remained in crusader hands until 1291, when it was taken by the Mamluks.
In 1516 the 400- year ottoman rule began. Later, in the 17th century, Beirut knew a period of great prosperity under the government of emir Fakhreddine II. Then with the break –up of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the World War I, the city became the capital of modern Lebanon.
Beirut, with nearly a million inhabitants, remains the cultural and commercial centre of the country. Some of its main landmarks are: the martyrs’ statue, the Souks (markets) and the parliament building, which are part of the design covering 1.8 million square meters. In extensive archeological investigations, historical periods ranging from Canaanite (3,000- 1200 B.C) to ottoman (1516-1918 A.D), have been revealed.
Forty-three kilometer from Beirut stands this magnificent palace built at the beginning of the 19th century by Emir Bechir II, who reigned over Lebanon for more than 50 years. With its arcades, galleries and rooms decorated by artists from Lebanon, Damascus and Italy, this building is a model of eastern architecture. Today the palace houses a museum of feudal weapons, costumes and jewelry as well as an archaeological museum and a museum of Byzantine mosaics
Deir El Kamar
It was the capital of Mount Lebanon, located 35 km away from Beirut, now it is a typical Lebanese village with its historical center, souk(market), museum, mosque & churches.
Availability of This Tour: Tuesdays & Saturdays.
Pick-ups and drop-offs:
- All tours depart from our office on Sami El Solh Avenue (Badaro/Museum area).
-Pick-ups and drop-offs from/to all hotels in Beirut are free of charge. Guests are requested to be ready at the reception desk of their hotel 45 minutes before the departure time of the tours.As drivers are instructed not to wait, guests who miss their pick up will have to take a taxi on their own.
-For Jounieh, the pick-ups and drop-offs are charged $10 per person per tour except for the tour of Baalbeck, Cedars and Kozhaya.
-Transfer from our Beirut office to Jounieh is done once all tours are back.
- All rates include transportation in deluxe motor coaches or vans, services of professional guides, VAT and entrance fees. Lunches are included in all full day tours. They are served in selected Lebanese restaurants with one small glass of arak.
- Children up to 4 years are free of charge but have no seat.
- Children between 4 and 12 years get $15 discount on all full day tours. No discount for the half day tours and for the tour of Tripoli.
- Payments by credit card are subject to $1.- supplement per person per tour.
- All prices and programs are subject to change without prior notice.
Departure and pick-up times of our tour:
- Pick up from Beirut Hotels: Between 07:45 and 08:00
- Pick up from Jounieh Hotels: Between 07:00 and 07:15
- Departure of tour: 08:30.
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Middle East Lebanon History Whiz Archeology/History
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