Post-edit: Sursock Museum has clarified that they do not have a set date yet for the reopening which will take place sometime after May of 2023.
Incredible news this morning! The wonderful monument of art and culture in Beirut, Sursock Museum is set to reopen its doors to the public in March of 2023.
The museum was heavily impacted by the devastating explosion of August 2020, and has been closed ever since, only opening tiny sections to host talks periodically. Built back in 1912, the magical white villa with stained glass was the residence of Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock, an art collector. After his death, it was bequeathed to the city where it would be open to the public free of charge “eternally and perpetually,” said Sursock.
Various teams of expert restorers, architects, artists, and engineers have participated in the recovery of this majestic villa. As the structure itself is being rebuilt, the 57 artworks that were also damaged have been undergoing restoration efforts.
You can watch the iconic stained glass being restored in the video below:
Hands down one of our favorite free cultural activities in Beirut, we cannot wait to visit Sursock Museum again.
