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Small Daily Tours to Beiteddine and Deir El Qamar with Lunch
5.0
2 Ratings
Beit ed-Dine
Embark on a half-day small-group tour from Beirut to Beiteddine and Deir El Qamar. Explore Ottoman historical sites, visit Beiteddine Palace, admire the architecture of Deir el Qamar, and enjoy a delicious lunch. Book now!
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace, also known as the ‘House of Faith,’ is a 19th-century palace located in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It is the venue for the annual Beiteddine Festival and houses the Beiteddine Palace Museum. The palace was constructed by Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later ruled the Mount Lebanon Emirate, between 1788 and 1818. Post-1840, the Ottomans repurposed the palace as a government building, and during the French Mandate, it served as a local administrative office. In 1943, it was designated as the president’s official summer residence. The palace suffered significant damage during the Lebanese Civil War. Today, parts of it are open to the public, while the rest remains the president’s summer residence.
- Deir el Qamar - Deir al-Qamar, meaning “Monastery of the Moon,” is a village situated southeast of Beirut and five kilometers from Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon. Deir El Qamar was the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality in 1864 and is the birthplace of many notable figures, including artists, writers, and politicians. The village was home to people of various religious backgrounds and featured a mosque, synagogue, and Christian churches. In 1860, Deir al-Qamar was destroyed during the civil war between Druze and Christians, during which the town was set on fire. Napoleon III dispatched a French contingent to rebuild it, reaffirming France’s historical role as the protector of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, as established by a treaty in 1523. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village maintains a charming appearance with typical stone houses and red tile roofs.
- Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, featuring an octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the 16th century by Fakhreddine I, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.
- Saydet El Talle Church - The Church of Saidet et Tallé, translated as Our Lady of the Hill, is one of the most significant historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati constructed a church on the site over the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, “the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline looking at the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light emanating from the hill, so he gathered his soldiers and ordered them to dig in the land the next morning. He instructed them: ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ In the morning, the soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, and beneath the cross were the moon and Venus. This indicated that in ancient times, there was a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus, which later became a church.”
What's Included
- English Speaking Driver
- Lunch
- Hotel Pick up & Drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Entrance fees to the sites
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a half-day journey in a small group from Beirut, venturing into the Chouf region. As you traverse the verdant landscapes, you will visit two important Ottoman landmarks. Explore the rooms and patios of Beiteddine Palace, then proceed to Deir el Qamar to appreciate the architecture of the residences and tour a mosque and a church. Included in the tour are English-speaking driver, round-trip transportation, lunch, and entrance fees, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Henriette_s
Jun 23, 2023
Beiteddine - Rita is a lovely and experienced guide and loves to talk about her Country. I have learned a lot and it was beautiful. Thanks, Rita. Also big shout out to Mustaffa who drove us.
Review provided by Viator
Alokrjha
Jan 3, 2022
The palace of visual delight! - Yet another supremely enjoyable day with Hassane! The palace at Beiteddine is worth a visit and the twisting lanes of Deir El Qamar have a charm of their own!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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