Saint George Maronite Cathedral, Maronite cathedral in Downtown Beirut, Lebanon
Saint George Maronite Cathedral is a neoclassical worship structure located in downtown Beirut. The building features a 72-meter bell tower and follows the architectural design patterns of Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Construction started in 1884 using Roman columns taken from the temple of Deir El Qalaa in Beit Mery, and the structure was consecrated on Palm Sunday in 1894. These Roman elements tie the building directly to the ancient history of the region.
The cathedral serves as the main seat of the Maronite archbishop and houses restored religious artworks from different periods. Walking through, you can sense how deeply this place matters to the local Maronite community.
The cathedral is on El Amir Bachir Street next to the Mohammad Al-Amine Mosque and is open to visitors throughout the week. Religious services happen regularly, so plan your visit around the schedule of worship.
Excavations beneath the cathedral uncovered sections of a Roman colonnaded street and an Ottoman wall. These archaeological discoveries reveal how many historical layers lie hidden under this modern religious structure.
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