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Perched on a 850 meters elevation, Beiteddine or house of faith, is the best example
of early 19th century Lebanese archi-tecture. Known for its Beiteddine palace
complex, with its mu-seums and gardens, it's one of Lebanon's major tourists attractions.
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The
Palace complex is built over a thirty period by Emir Bachir Chehab II, who ruled
Mount-Lebanon for more than half a century.
 A few historic marks :
In the Middle Ages, Lebanon was governed by emirs. Emir Fakhreddine II Maan ruled
in the early 17th century, an area corresponding to present-day Lebanon. By the
end of the 17th century, the emirs of Chehab family took over the land. Emir Bechir
Chehab II decided to leave The Moon Monastery (Deir el-Qamar) in order to raise
his own palace in Beiteddine.
The Ottomans repressed the Chehab emirate in 1842 and transformed Beiteddine into
a government residence.
After World War I, when Lebanon was under the French Mandate, the palace was used
for local administrative functions.
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Beiteddine
was declared an historic monument in 1934 and was carefully restored by the General
Directorate of Anti-quities. In 1943, the year of Lebanon inde-pendence, the Palace
became the President summer residence.
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The palace complex restored to its original state has 3 main sections:
- The Outer Section or Dar el-Barraniyyeh represents the main entrance to the
Palace and includes a 107 x 45 meters courtyard, Al-Midan where horsemen and visitors
used to meet.
- The Kamal Jumblatt Museum is situated on the ground floor, counts the life story
of the famous Druze leader, through photographs, documents and manuscripts.
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The Middle Section or Dar el-Wousta where apartments of the Hamade Sheiks of the
Shouf responsible for the protection of the palace.
The
Stables of the Palace recently resto-red, hold an exten-sive collection of Byzantine
mosaics.
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The
largest of them comes from the ruins of a Byzantine Church in Jiyyeh, south of
Beirut.
Three additional palaces were built by Emir Bechir Chehab II for his three sons
: Qassim, Khalil and Amine.
The
Palace of Emir Qassim, now in ruins, is perched on a promontory facing the Great
Palace. Today, Emir Khalil's Palace is used as the Serail of Beiteddine, the seat
of local administration. Emir Amine's Palace was converted into a luxury hotel
an is now known as Mir Amine Palace.
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