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Maaser Beiteddine

Location: 50 km southeast of Beirut
Population:
Elevation: 850m (2790ft)

The road to maaser Beiteddine starts at Damour, which is situated at 17 Km at the South of Beirut, goes through the Chouf and then Deir el Kamar (The Convent of the moon).

Maaser beiteddine is a village in the Shouf Mountains of Lebanon. It is 45 kilometers from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and 800 meters above sea level.
Traveling from Beirut to maaser beit eldine you pass the city of Damour on the coast; and from there you bear left going up the mountains through the towns of Kfarhim, Deir El-Kamar.
Masser beiteddine is situated in the beautiful Mannasef area on a cliff overlooking the Alley Mountains.
From maasser beiteddine you can see more than 20 villages from Kfarmatta to Saoufar, barouk...

Aien El Maasser fountain is well-known since the period of Emir Bechir Chehab II who established some "cafes" next to it to escape from the hassle of his Palace.
The Maasser Beit Eddine village is also named after its fountain as Ain el Maaser

LANGUAGE

After Arabic, French is the most popular second language. English is widely spoken in business circles and is certainly popular with the youth, who are attuned to the American culture. Two of Lebanon's major universities, the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese-American University, conduct their courses in English and are equally popular with English- and French- educated students.
Something you often hear, which is peculiarly Lebanese, is the amazing ability to switch between French or English and Arabic during conversation, or sometimes even in one sentence. If you don't speak Arabic you will probably get by with speaking either French or English.

VISAS

Any person entering Lebanon must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the estimated duration of stay in Lebanon. Tourist and business visas can be obtained on arrival at Beirut Airport and at other ports of entry on the Lebanese border. This rule applies to nationals of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and USA.

Refugees must hold travel documents according to the London Convention of 1946 and the Geneva Convention of 1951, issued by any country other than Israel. Residents of Gaza holding a Laissez-Passer issued by Egyptian authorities unless the holder has obtained a visa from a Lebanese representative abroad.Single and multiple entry visas can be obtained from any Lebanese consulate or embassy. As visa regulations are subject to change, visitors should check with their nearest Lebanese embassy or consulate prior to making travel arrangements.

Visa Exemption
No Visa is required for the following:

  • Nationals of Lebanon;
  • Nationals of Syria;
  • Palestinians holding valid Lebanese Laissez-Passer;
  • Children under 15 years of age provided that they are accompanied by their parents who are residents of Lebanon holding an entry visa or are of Lebanese descent;
  • Holders of Diplomatic Passports, provided they are accredited to Lebanon;
  • Persons of Lebanese descent provided they are holding a Lebanese identity card or expired Lebanese passport;
  • United Nations Staff, being Diplomat, holding Diplomatic Cards, issued by the Lebanese Ministry of foreign affairs;
  • Alien Residents in possession of a valid resident permit card;
  • Members of the Deterrent, Emergency, U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and U.N Security Forces; holding Military identity cards.

 

Beiteddine

Some 50km (30mi) southeast of Beirut lies Beiteddine (House of Faith), the name of both the village and the magnificent palace complex that lies within. The palace, perched on on 850m (2790ft) elevation, rises from the surrounding landscape like a fairy tale vision; a Scheherazadean delight rendered with Italianate flair (the architects were, in fact, Italian). Work began on the palace in 1788 but wasn't completed for another 30 years, during which time Emir Bashir, the Ottoman-appointed governor, oversaw the building of a monument that would reflect the power and glory of his reign.

Visitors to Beiteddine have to be grateful for the Ottoman's streak of egomania. The result is one of the finest remaining examples of 19th-century Lebanese architecture that even the Israeli invasion could not destroy (it is estimated that 90% of the palace's rare and precious contents were lost). Its grandeur is partly due to the three main courtyards, huge vaulted stables, small museums, guest apartments, water fountains, marble portals and marquetry, and luxuriously decorated and domed hammams (bathhouses) that dot the complex, and partly due to its collection of Byzantine mosaics. Many were excavated from the ancient city of Porphyrion and kept for sake-keeping at Beiteddine throughout the war. It is thought to be one of the most spectacular mosaic collections in the eastern Mediterranean, if not the world.

The village itself hosts a festival every summer in July and August, featuring an eclectic mix of inernational and Arab musicians, singers, dancers and actors.

 

About Lebanon:

Full country name: Republic of Lebanon
Area: 10,452 sq km
Population: 3.5 million
Capital City: Beirut (pop: 1.5 million)
People: Arabs, Palestinians, Kurds, Armenians
Language: Arabic, French, English, Armenian
Religion: 60% Muslim, 40% Christian
Government: republic
Head of State: President Emil Lahoud
Head of Government: Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri

GDP: US$15.8 billion
GDP per capita: US$4,500
Annual Growth: 3%
Inflation: 5%
Major Industries: Agriculture, banking, construction, tourism
Major Trading Partners: Saudi Arabia, EU, UAE, US