(palace of the Emirs - 45 km from Beirut)

Beiteddine Palace, begun in 1812, is the best example of Lebanon's feudal architecture and an important stop on every visitor's itinerary. The former seat of the Lebanese Emirs, the palace was built by Emir Bechir Chehab II and remained his residence until he was forced into exile in 1840. Ottoman authorities later used it as a government residence, and under the French Mandate it became an administrative building. Beiteddine was declared a historic monument in 1934 and in 1943 it was completely restored by the General Directorate of Antiquities as a summer residence for Lebanon's president. The first president to reside here, Beshara el-Khoury, had the remains of Emir Bechir II returned from Istanbul, where he died in 1850.
 

The Palace is divided into three main sections. The first part includes the large courtyard, or midan, and a two-story wing originally used for receiving guests. An internal staircase leads to the upper floor where the archaeological and ethnographic museum is located. In the middle section of the palace you'll find the apartments of the Hamadeh Sheikhs of the Shouf, who were responsible for palace security. The reception wing, made up of a waiting room and a hall, is by far the most ornate in the palace, with mosaic floors and walls covered with carved marble, sculptures and inscriptions. The third part is the Dar el-Harim or private apartments, which have a large and richly decorated facade. This section includes the Upper Harem, the Reception Room, the Lower Harem and the kitchens. The bath, one of the most beautiful in the Arab world, is located here as well. In the handsome restored stables you'll find a display of mosaics, the largest of which come from a Byzantine church in Jiyyeh, south of Beirut. Some mosaics are also laid in the beautiful gardens near the stables.  Not far from the mosaic museum is the hermitage, or khalwa, a place of religious seclusion for the Druzes. Much older than the rest of the palace, this room has been restored.
 

IF YOU HAVE TIME . . .

A visit to Beiteddine is ideally combined with nearby Deir al Qamar.

Beiteddine town is also worth exploring. Here Emir Bechir built palaces for each of his three sons, Qassim, Khalil and Amine. A few traces of Emir Qassim's palace can be seen on a hill facing the grand palace, while Khalil's palace is now the Serail of Beiteddine. The Mir Amine Palace, however, is both a hotel and a tourist attraction. Restored by the Ministry of Tourism, the 24-room hotel is set in a terraced garden overlooking valleys and mountains. 

Several restaurants and a craft shop can be found in the area of the Beiteddine  Palace, which is also the venue of a major summer cultural festival.  

Just outside Beiteddine is the fantasy known as Moussa's Castle where you can see animated scenes illustrating Lebanon's traditional way of life and moments in history. The roadside near the castle is usually crowded with children enjoying pony rides and other amusements.
 

Getting There ...
From Beirut drive south towards Damour, where you will need to access the Beiteddine road heading east, passing through Deir El Qamar before reaching Beiteddine, some 45km away from Beirut.  (See Mount Lebanon Map)
 

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