Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Greek Orthodox cathedral in downtown Beirut, Lebanon
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral is an Orthodox place of worship in downtown Beirut built with a cruciform layout, a prominent central dome, and a bell tower on its eastern side. The expanded facades frame the entrance, and beneath the structure lies an underground archaeological museum with ancient pottery, oil lamps, and remains of earlier church altars.
The cathedral was built in 1772 after numerous reconstructions on a site that held religious structures since the 5th century AD. This continuity across centuries demonstrates how the location remained central to worship and community life.
The cathedral serves as the spiritual center for Beirut's largest Greek Orthodox community and hosts religious celebrations that bring together families and worshippers throughout the year. Visitors notice how the space comes alive during services with singing, incense, and the participation of the local congregation.
An underground archaeological museum sits directly beneath the cathedral and requires descending stairs to explore the excavated finds from different periods. Plan time to visit both the main worship space and the museum level, as lighting is limited below ground and the descent is steep.
Archaeological excavations beneath the building unearthed 25 burial sites, including a skeleton adorned with a bronze tiara that contained an iron arrowhead within its remains. These discoveries reveal layers of human history embedded in the ground below the sanctuary.
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