AL-OMARI MOSQUE

Between Place de l'Etoile and Weygand Street, the Great Mosque or El-Omari Mosque is the oldest mosque in Beirut. Following the civil war, its renovation was supervised by the architect Youssef Haidar. Its history is rich, just like that of Beirut. According to some sources, there was a mosque on the same site as early as 635 A.D. It was destroyed by the Crusaders, and the site became a church in 1110. It was transformed into a mosque after the 'liberation' of the city by Sultan Saladin in 1187. The site became a cathedral again from 1197 to 1291. It then definitively became a mosque. It was named after the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. But this thesis is not accepted by all historians. The main portal of the El Omari Mosque is located under arcades. It is possible to visit it. One must take off one's shoes and the women must cover themselves and wear an abaya. Photos are allowed. The esplanade along Weygand Street is recent and has some columns from the Roman period. By creating this courtyard during the rehabilitation of the site in the 2000s, the architect wanted to revive this gathering place, which explains this play of light with the moucharabieh (a mesh that allows to see without being seen). Inside, the structure of the old Romanesque cathedral still has its arches and vault. It is perfectly visible from the outside at the level of the small garden which faces the building of the municipality. The upper floor is reserved for women.