Downtown, Beirut

Downtown, Beirut's central district, is anything but what you would expect from the center of an old town.

In 1990, the Government consolidated all the properties that were severely damaged by offering the owners shares in the privately owned construction cooperation for the development of Downtown. Now modern and chic real estate buildings stand tall, while only few ruins of historical houses still exist to give an impression of pre-civil war Beirut. Traces of the Roman era are still visible, for instance the Roman baths, Columns. Martyr's Square - Although not an attraction for the eye, this square is known for its emotional importance. Having derived its name from the revolutionaries who were hung in front of protestors here, Martyrs Square, true to its name, saw the protests against Syria after the assassination of Rafique Hariri. While in Downtown, do visit some of the Souks, Saifi Village for shopping and the posh Zaituna Bay