Lebanon Museums

BEIRUT'S NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

A country rich in history must have a first class museum to exhibit some of the relics up to its long history. Such is the case with Lebanon which has seen more civilizations, creeds and cultures than virtually any other country. When it was built, it was on the outskirts of Beirut, but it has now been engulfed by the rapidly growing city and is surrounded by a pleasant residential area.
Approximately enough, opposite the Museum is a small garden with a partial reconstruction of a Roman colonnade found in Beirut, near Parliament, to get the visitor into the right mood for seeing the museum.
The museum contains rare items of different civilizations. It contains priceless examples of the earliest alphabetical writing, a Phoenician invention
Location: Rue de Damas (intersection of Avenue Fouad I)

SURSOCK MUSEUM

This Museum is one of the most important cultural centers of Beirut. The building, a mansion built in the 19th century, has a marvelous architectural design. It was donated by Mr. Nicholas Sursock to Beirut's Municipal Council. Visitors have to pass through the garden which is itself one of the Museum's main attractions. The museum is home to large collection of artwork, mostly Lebanese. The Museum holds an annual Fall/Winter exhibit for Lebanese artists. In the Fall of 96 and until the beginning of 97, some 142 Lebanese artists will exhibit their best work, many coming from Europe and North America.
Location: Ashrafieh - Quartier Sursok

THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

Remember to bring a valid ID to get in the campus of the university which is described as on of the most beautiful college campuses of the world. The museum includes among its collection a fine display of Arab coins, many rare, some unique.
Location: Bliss Street- on the campus of the American University of Beirut.

THE WAX MUSEUM - Byblos

The museum is an adventure through Lebanese history. It takes you back to the Phoenician Age and reflects its civilization (ships, pottery, glass...) and its legends (Adonis, Astarte, Cadmos..). The museum then explores more recent history moments. You find princes and their ways of living as well as important events up to independence.
Location: Byblos - In front of the Citadel. Hours: 9 A.M-6 P.M.

BEITEDDINE MUSEUM

The museum is inside the Beiteddine Palace which is an architectural museum itself.
The collections cover a lot of areas. It starts with the Phoenician era and ends with last's century antique pistols and furniture. Lebanese aspects of life in the 1800's is well presented ( clothes, houseware, rifles and swords...). Souvenirs Shop.
Location: Beiteddine Palace - Shouf

GIBRAN'S MUSEUM

Located at the bottom of the mountain that overlooks the valley of saints(holly Valley). Gibran's museum was first a monastery. His coffin is placed in it which Gibran chose as his tomb. The Gibran National Committee runs the site. It was established in 1975. It contains 440 paintings of which 190 are exhibited. To note that Gibran Khalil Gibran, the writer of The Prophet, was not only a poet, but also a philosopher, and an artist. He dealt with abstract issues such as God, Death and Love.
Location: Besharre - North Lebanon

SAINT SHARBEL MUSEUM

The monastery of Annaya in the mountains above Byblos is a historical site. the museum redraws the life of Saint Sharbel in an interesting way. Tourists can visit the site and the museum for religious or cultural reasons. The scenes of the life of Saint Sharbel recreated give the visitor a glimpse at the life of villagers of the mountains during the last century.
Saint Sharbel grew up in Bkaakafra, the highest village in the Middle East (1,980 meters).
Location: Annaya - Jbeil Mountains

QOZHIAH MUSEUM

It is called a museum, but the exhibit is very limited and only one item is of relative historical value. Exposed is the first printing machine that entered the Arab world and the eastern Mediterranean. It was brought by Maronite monks from Italy. Other items include religious artwork from the last century used by the priest at the monastery which houses the museum. Also at the site, a cave with chains and ropes used by monks to chase out evil spirits from people. The church includes a couple of very old paintings and the is carved into the rocky mountain. The location of the monatery is very interesting.
Location: near Ehden - North Lebanon

LEBANON'S MARINE WILDLIFE EXHIBIT/MUSEUM

This museum/exhibit presents a wide collection of marine wildlife samples. The collection of Murex, the creator of the color purple, is a special interest. This snail made the Lebanese ancestors, the Phoenicians, famous by providing the ancient nation with a new resource that at the time was very precious. Around 2,000 B.C., 1 gram of Murex dye was worth 10 grams of gold. The museum is a private venture of Ms. Jeanine Yazbeck.
The exhibit is housed in a beautiful traditional Lebanese house dated from the 1,800s'.
Location: Jdeidet El-Metn - near College La Sagesse.

FOSSILS MUSEUM

The information on this museum is still lacking. All we know, the new place exhibits all sorts of fossils found in the Lebanese mountains. The fossils explain the state of Lebanon reaching the date when Lebanon was underwater.
Location: Byblos

MOUSSA PALACE MUSEUM

The Palace has a special exhibit on Lebanese artwork and artifacts. Mr. Moussa, who built the museum himself, also created scenes from Lebanese peasant and noble life from past centuries. At the end of the tour you can sit in a real authentic old Lebanese setting and sip bitter coffee, the old style. A souvenir shop is available.
Location: On the road between Deir-El-Qamar and Beiteddine - Shooff