The National Museum is actually quite nice, especially compared with national museums from many other similar countries. The building is designed with large, Egyptian-looking closed lotus flower topped columns, and other than being slightly dirty (there isn’t much in this city which couldn’t benefit from a pressure washer), it’s in very good shape. The contents are quite nice and come from various locations throughout Lebanon. Of main interest will be the various sarcophagi (there are three styles represented), most in very good shape with fine details, some mosaics, and a complete tomb with fresco walls which was transferred to the museum intact.
If you get a chance, there is a 10-12 minute film called “Revival” shown every hour or so about the museum (just inside the door to the right). The movie shows how the museum artifacts where incased in concrete to protect them during the civil war, and how much damage the building itself experienced. You’ll be amazed at how good the building looks now after seeing the film. The film is alternately shown with either English or Arabic text, but don’t worry if you sit in on the “wrong” one. All you really need to know is that the devastation you are seeing was due to the civil war, and that the museum was opened in stages thereafter, with the basement just opening in 2016.
Why go?
- This museum is well built, well lit and contains many interesting artifacts.
- The building itself is worth the visit, especially after you watch the film “Revival” which explains how it survived the civil war.
What you need to know:
- Entrance fee is 5,000 LP for adults and 1,000 LP for students/children
- DO NOT MISS the basement. The stairs are kind of hidden behind the main staircase. I almost missed them.
- The artifacts are mostly well labeled in English.
- The Viator city tour includes a stop here, but the guide didn’t take you around. But then, you really don’t need a guide for this museum. The artifacts are well described.
Sarcophagus
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Anthropomorphic Sarcophagi
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Anthropomorphic Sarcophagi
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Anthropomorphic Sarcophagi
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Sarcophagus of King Ahram, Byblos, 10th-11th century BCE.
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
.
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Sarcophagus of Achilles (Detail)
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
The abduction of Europa - Mosaic.
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Mosaic
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details; @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
Seven Wise Men Mosaic: Calliope, surrounded by Socrates and seven wise men (Baalbek, 3rd century A.D.) - Entrance hall.
National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
.
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
View of the front with closed papyrus columns - National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon
This is a beautiful museum which, in addition to interesting artifacts, has an amazing backstory.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf .
Picture Taken: 11/2017
.
#NationalMuseumofBeirut #NationalMuseumBeirut #Beirut #Lebanon #NationalMuseum #TravelBeirut #BeirutMuseum #BeirutHoliday #Museum #MuseumofBeirut
