Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral The
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George, completed in 1772, is located directly on Nejmeh Square and is the oldest
orthodox church in Beirut. Its location is believed to be directly adjacent to the site of the ancient
Roman law school of Beirut. The church underwent several restorations in its history due to natural disasters, erosion, and intentional destruction. During the
Lebanese Civil War, the church was burned and destroyed with most of its belongings stolen. The
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut began its renovation on October 16, 1995. The excavation at the site led to the discovery of the remains of three other churches and part of the Roman
colonnades. These artifacts were incorporated into an underground museum directly located below the cathedral.
Al-Abed Clock Tower The jewel of the square is the 1930s Al-Abed Clock Tower with its four-faced
Rolex clock. The clock tower was a gift from Lebanese-Brazilian émigré Michel Abed. The square is also known for its noticeable population of
pigeons.
Lebanese Parliament The Parliament building was designed by
Mardiros Altounian, who was also the architect of the Al-Abed Clock Tower. The building was completed in 1934 during the
French Mandate period. Advised to build in the spirit of Lebanese tradition, the
architect visited the Emirs' palaces in the
Chouf Mountains. He also drew inspiration from the
Oriental styles developed in
Paris,
Istanbul and
Cairo at the turn of the 20th century. The building combines
Beaux-Arts architecture with elements taken from local architectural tradition, including twin and triple arch windows. The limestone façade, decorated with recessed panels, arched openings, and tiers of
stalactites, clads a reinforced concrete frame that also supports the diameter
cupola covering the Chamber of Deputies. == References ==