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welcome to Beitedine
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Just after
Deir el Qamar and overlooking a terraced hill appears the palace
of Beit
Eddine. A delightful example of early 19th Century oriental
architecture, the palace was built by Emir Bechir el Chehabi
II (1788 -1840) who was for over fifty years not only the most
independent and self-willed of sovereigns but whose reign was
equally characterised by both justice and prosperity. Under
his rule there was a boom in public works; roads were laid down
or enlarged while new bridges were built and others repaired.
His most spectacular achievement, however, remains the aqueduct
of the Safa, a spring whose waters are regularly swollen by
the melting snows.
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This
14-kilometer aqueduct was designed to ensure a water supply
for the new capital, Beit Eddine, and for its construction
Emir Bechir drafted his highlanders, each one being obliged
to provide two day's unpaid labour.
The resulting eighty thousand working days enabled the
project to be completed in two years without putting undue
strain on the Treasury. |
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Middle Ages on, the Lebanon was divided up into fiefs governed
by Emirs or by hereditary Cheikhs. In the early years of the
17th Century, the Emir Fakhred-Dine II Maan (1572 - 1634) extended
his power throughout these princedoms thus coming to rule an
area corresponding to the present-day Lebanon. He transferred
his capital from Baaqline to Deir El Qamar, but also had his
seat of government in Sidon and Beirut, particularly after the
Sultan extended his power from the north of Syria to central
Palestine. |
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At
the end of the 17th Century, the Maan dynasty died out
and their lands were inherited by the Chehab family, Emirs
of Waditaim. Following the usual customs which at the
time served as the basis for government in the Lebanon,
the feudal lords recognised the Chehabs and the Sultan
accorded their investiture. |
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| Their palaces
were situated around the central square of Deir el Qamar throughout
the 18th Century.
At the end of the 18th Century, Emir Youssef found himself in
difficulties with the Sultan's representatives, the neighbouring
pachas. He preferred to retire, and abdicated in favour of Emir
Bechir II since his own children were not yet of age...
For more info please visit: Ministry
of Tourism
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