Overview
A new square has been designed on the location of an 8th-century fortress that later became a Crusader castle. Remains of a western extension of the castle are preserved within the square.
Construction
The Castle of Beirut, part of the city’s military defense system, consisted of a mainland fortress and a small fort built on an adjoining islet. In the Crusader period, a 6-meter-wide moat separated the southwestern tower from the lower city, thus protecting the castle from attacks. In the 1890s, this fort and the castle promontory were demolished to construct a road and railway that served the new harbor. Excavation in 2010 for the construction of Castle Square revealed a western extension of the Crusader Castle.
History
The Castle of Beirut, part of the city’s military defense system, consisted of a mainland fortress and a small fort built on an adjoining islet. In the 8th century, the Tell was reinforced with a fortress overlooking the harbor. In time, the fortress became a castle and was the scene of fierce fighting, destruction and rebuilding throughout the Crusader and Mamluk periods. Heavy naval bombardments in 1827 and 1840 rendered the castle obsolete. In the Crusader period, a 6-meter-wide moat separated the southwestern tower from the lower city, thus protecting the castle from attacks. Burj al-Musallah, a small fort situated at the entrance of the harbor, survived as a leading mark. When aligned with Burj al-Kashef in Martyrs’ Square, it steered ships into the harbor. In the 1890s, this fort and the castle promontory were demolished to construct a road and railway that served the new harbor. The area at the foot of the castle’s cliff became a market for bulk trade in grains, sugar, rice, coffee and tea, known as Souk Mal-al-Qabban. Excavation in 2010 for the construction of Castle Square revealed a western extension of the Crusader Castle. All these remains are preserved within the new square.
Timeline
8th century: Reinforcement of the Tell with a fortress.
Crusader period: A 6-meter-wide moat separated the southwestern tower from the lower city, protecting the castle from attacks.
1827 and 1840: Heavy naval bombardments rendered the castle obsolete.
1890s: The fort and the castle promontory were demolished to construct a road and railway.
2010: Excavation for the construction of Castle Square revealed a western extension of the Crusader Castle.