Beiteddine Palace

Beiteddine Palace is a large 19th-century palace complex in the village of Beiteddine in Lebanon’s Chouf district, built by Emir Bashir Shihab II during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The complex combines reception halls, decorated rooms, courtyards and formal gardens arranged on a hillside.

Key attractions for visitors include the palace’s grand paved courtyard, richly worked interior wood and stone decoration, and terraced gardens with fountains. The palace’s open courtyards and reception rooms are focal points for visitors and for the summer cultural program.

The palace was constructed under the authority of Emir Bashir Shihab II around 1788-1818 and later underwent restorations in the 20th century. It is now used as a site for public visits and cultural events, including the annual Beiteddine Festival.

The complex sits in the Chouf Mountains of Mount Lebanon Governorate, in the village of Beiteddine, on a hillside above the surrounding valley.

• Construction dates: Construction began in the late 18th century under Emir Bashir Shihab II and was carried out roughly between 1788 and 1818.
• Festival venue: The palace is the venue for the annual Beiteddine Festival, a summer cultural festival of music and performance held in the palace courtyards.

What to See #

• Central courtyard: A large central paved courtyard with ornamental fountains and arcades forms the formal heart of the palace and links the main reception rooms.
• Gardens and terraces: Terraced gardens and planted courts descend the hillside and include paved walkways, fountains and planted beds that adjoin the palace terraces.