The colonnade of the archaeological site of Sour, in southern Lebanon. (Credit: Illustrative photo by Matthieu Karam/L'OLJ)
Entry to several archaeological sites and the National Museum will be free from Wednesday to Friday in Lebanon in celebration of National Heritage Day, the Culture Ministry announced Monday.
Sites included in the initiative are the National Museum in Beirut, the Beit Eddine Palace in Chouf, and ministry-affiliated archaeological locations such as Jbeil, the ruins of Faqra, Tripoli’s citadel, the ruins of Baalbeck and Anjar, the sea castle in Saida, and various sites in Sour. All will be open free of charge May 14, 15 and 16 during official hours.
National Heritage Day is observed every third Thursday of May.
On May 5, Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh met with his French counterpart, Rachida Dati, in Paris to discuss ways to revitalize Lebanese heritage.
Lebanon’s cultural legacy drew international concern during last fall’s Israeli offensive, which endangered historical sites across the country and threatened its archaeological diversity. In November 2024, amid ongoing hostilities, UNESCO granted “provisional enhanced protection” to 34 Lebanese cultural sites due to the risk of Israeli airstrikes. The strikes heavily affected Baalbeck in the east and Sour in the south, both of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Ahead of that decision, 300 cultural professionals — including archaeologists and academics — signed a petition urging UNESCO to act, with particular attention to Baalbeck.
