The Egg, Beirut, Modern ruins in central Beirut, Lebanon
The Egg is an oval concrete structure in central Beirut standing about 11 meters tall and 24 meters long. The dome-shaped form bears visible marks from past conflicts across its surface.
Construction began in 1965 as a commercial center designed by architect Joseph Philippe Karam but stopped in 1975 when the civil war started. The incomplete structure remained abandoned for decades afterward, becoming a symbol of the conflict.
The building served as a gathering place during the October 2020 uprising, when local artists transformed its interior into an exhibition space. This artistic use made it a symbol of creative resistance against commercial development.
The structure is normally closed to the public but may be visited during special cultural events or temporary openings authorized by local authorities. It is advisable to check ahead about current access conditions, as openings are limited and occasional.
Preservation groups called 'Save the Egg' formed in 2009 to protect this concrete structure from real estate developers' demolition plans. The nickname comes from its oval shape and has become part of the location's local identity.
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