Controversy surrounds the restoration of Saida's sea castle

BEIRUT – The ongoing restoration of Saida's famed sea castle has sparked controversy over the techniques being used to renovate it. Both locals and professionals have objected to how it is being undertaken, causing the Culture Ministry to attempt to reassure the public on Monday.

Here’s what we know:

    • The main point of contention is the use of modern materials, such as cement and wrought iron, in the restoration of the almost 1000-year-old crusader fortress. The materials are being used to reinforce and in some cases rebuild the castle’s arches, which many argue will erase the historical character of the fortress and could negatively affect the already-existing material. The castle dates back to 1227-1228 and was originally built by crusaders on top of a small island near the harbor.

    • In response to calls from local activist groups, on Sunday the head of the Order of Engineers and Architects, Aref Yassine, toured the site and called for a halt to the restoration work until suitable standards could be applied. “We did not come here to stall the work, there are structures that need to be reinforced and we are with reinforcing them, but they must be done according to certain specifications and standards,” he said, according to the National News Agency. He added there are many schools of thought that tackle the preservation of historical and cultural identity. He asked for the matter to be taken up in coordination with restoration specialists, the Municipality of Saida, the Culture Ministry and the General Directorate of Antiquities. “This issue is not local, because the Saida Castle is for all of Lebanon and the region, and it is a symbol and a historical and cultural identity,” Yassine said.

    • According to our correspondent in the area, after touring the castle on Monday, the Director-General of Antiquities, Sarkis el-Khoury, responded to the backlash, expressing the Culture Ministry’s readiness to “receive everyone who wants to see the details of the project and to inquire about all the points that explain the approved restoration mechanism.” He added that “Minister Mortada assigned specialized scientific experts to conduct an evaluation of the project according to the highest standards.” Responding to questions about the use of concrete in the restoration, Khoury explained that this material is only used under certain circumstances, separate from the sandstone in place, and that in some instances, natural limestone was used.

    • Funding for the work is sourced from the United States through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant, which donated $100,000.