Painted in black and white, the Old Lighthouse of Beirut stands as a testament to time. This 82-foot tower marks not only a historic building. It also stands as a monument to Lebanon’s resilience.
Beirut has seen five lighthouses since the 19th century. By the early 1800s, Beirut became a vital maritime nexus. It connected the East and West. To guide ships safely, the lighthouses were erected at Ras Beirut. “Al Manara” is Arabic. It means “the Lighthouse.” The neighborhood was named after it.
The oldest lighthouse was built in 1825 during Ottoman rule. It stood about 25 meters tall. This lighthouse was made of stone with a cylindric plan. Kerosene powered its light. The Chebli family ran the lighthouse. They have been lighthouse keepers for over 150 years.
In 1952, the French cruise ship “Le Champollion” crashed near Beirut. It struck the rocky beach of Khaldeh. Some say Joseph Chebli was accused of not turning on the lighthouse that night. He was later proven innocent. The accident was declared a crew mistake. They failed to identify the newly built airport. After that, the old lighthouse was dismantled.
Built in 1957, the Old Manara ran on electricity. It was technologically advanced for its time. Its plan was octagonal and built with concrete. It was painted in black and white. A rectangular extension served as the Chebli’s house.
During the civil war from 1975 to 1990, the Old Lighthouse was turned off. It was bombed twice. It remained inactive until 1990. After reconstruction, it remained active until 2003.
In 2003, a businessman built a high-rise tower next to it. The Manara Tower blocked the light. As compensation, he donated for a new lighthouse. It was built further down the coast. Today, it is known as the Manara of Beirut.
The New Manara is about 50 meters high. It has a cylindrical plan. It was gray until 2018. Then, it was painted in white and red stripes. The lighthouse is used as an army radio and radar base today. It still uses the same light signal as the old one. It creates a light spot every 10 seconds.
The Old Lighthouse suffered damage from an Israeli airstrike in 2006. Victor Chebli grew up in the Old Lighthouse. His family living quarters are annexed to the lighthouse. He is committed to shining a light on Lebanon’s past. The Old Lighthouse is a reflection of how individuals preserve the city’s heritage.