Mar Mikhael Train Station To Be Rehabilitated And Opened To Public

UNESCO and the Republic of Italy have announced a €2,000,000 project to preserve and rehabilitate Mar Mikhael’s train station, ensuring the survival of its six heritage buildings and creating a new public green space for residents to enjoy.

The project comes as part of UNESCO’s LiBeirut initiative, which also supported the re-opening of the Sursock Museum and has generally aided efforts to rebuild Beirut after the August 4 explosion.

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) Beirut Director, Alessandra Piermattei highlighted that “the Italian Cooperation is supporting the rehabilitation of 10,000 m2 of the Mar Mikhael Train Station through two separated but interconnected projects implemented by two UN agencies, UNESCO and UN HABITAT. The signature of the agreement with UNESCO to restore the industrial heritage remains in the area and the UN HABITAT project working on the green public space will complement each other. The initiative will lead to improve the life and well-being of Beirut’s citizens and reactivate the economic and social development of the area.”

This project follows an attempt to re-shape Mar Mikhael’s streets earlier this year, with the Piazza project having been set to bring more walkability and greenery into one of Beirut’s busiest streets. Unfortunately, that project does not look like it is set to materialize, with Lebanese Forces representatives blocking any further works on the street.

We look forward to Lebanon’s railways being brought to life, with the facilities in Mar Mikhael over 129 years old. Dating back to Lebanon’s first rail lines in 1894, these buildings are landmarks of Lebanon’s history, and an important emblem of the city’s heritage, so we can’t wait till the Mar Mikhail Train Station retakes its position as an icon of Beirut.