This 100-Year-Old Heritage House in Beirut Is Opening its Doors to the Public

In a building that is more than 100 years old, a piece of Beirut’s history is getting a new life.

In the heart of Zokak El Blat, Al Makassed Islamic Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut is opening Beit Al Makassed. The historic building has been carefully restored, with its original architectural details and character preserved.

The opening will take place on Monday, September 28 at 5 PM. The project is designed to preserve Makassed’s history and heritage while giving the space a new purpose as a home for culture, research, and learning.

The building is considered one of Beirut’s heritage properties and has undergone careful restoration to retain its original identity. It will now serve as a cultural space bringing together art, history, and knowledge.

What will you find at “Beit Al Makassed”?

Beit Al Makassed will include an exhibition space, a library, and a cultural platform. It will host exhibitions, as well as collections of documents and artifacts connected to the history of Makassed and Beirut.

The space will also host cultural and intellectual events, creating room for conversations, research, and the exchange of ideas.

According to Makassed Association President Diana Tabbara, Beit Al Makassed connects the association’s past with its future. Rather than keeping its history confined to the archives, the project brings that history into a living space where people can engage with it through culture, knowledge, and creativity.

The project also comes at a time when many of Beirut’s old buildings are disappearing or being significantly altered, making the preservation of the city’s architectural heritage all the more important. With Beit Al Makassed, the aim is to do more than restore an old building. It is to give it a new role and keep it open to the people, stories, and cultural history that have shaped Beirut over the years.

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