Beirut Hippodrome
Roman Hippodrome of Beirut
The
Preservation
In 2009, Culture Minister Tamam Salam, had the site listed officially in the general inventory of historic buildings, ruling that it should be preserved in situ and turned into a tourist landmark.[2]
According to an article appearing in the French daily, L'Orient-Le Jour, Gaby Layoun, the Culture Minister at the time, approved in March 2012 plans for a luxury residential complex to be built over the ruins of Beirut's Roman Hippodrome, bypassing the recommendations of three of his predecessors: Tarek Mitri, Salim Wardé, and Tammam Salam.[3] The three previous Culture Ministers, Mitri, Wardé, and Salam criticized Layoun's move and reiterated the importance of protecting and preserving the archeological site.[4] A march to protest the destruction of the hippodrome took place on March 24, 2012.[5] The Association for the Protection of the Lebanese Heritage (APLH) organized the protest as an attempt to reverse the Culture Ministry's decision to allow the building over the hippodrome.[6] Following the litigation brought by the Association for the Protection of Lebanese Heritage (APLH), the court suspended on May 31, 2012 the Culture Ministry's decision, N˚ 849, to dismantle the Roman Hippodrome that would have allowed for the construction of a building project on the site.[7] The site is protected for now.
Hippodrome du parc de Beyrouth
The current Hippodrome du parc de Beyrouth is a
In the 1960s, the Beirut Hippodrome became one of the busiest race tracks in the world, holding races twice a week, 52 weeks a year.[10]
The Israeli army occupied the hippodrome during the Invasion of Lebanon in 1982.[11] The Israeli army entered the hippodrome on August 4.[12]
The hippodrome also hosts annual The Garden Show & Spring Festival, which attracts more than 160 exhibitors and over 24,000 international visitors.[13] At the 2012 Garden Show & Spring Festival, the French rose producer, Meilland International, presented to the public the Beirut Rose, which was cultivated in tribute to Lebanon's capital.[14]
In literature
- Burial in Beirut by Orin Parker
- "Rob challenged him to a race around the Hippodrome. The historic ruin was large and Rich gave it all he had, his long strides quickly leaving Rob behind."[citation needed]
External links
References
- ^ "Save Beirut's Heritage: The Roman Hippodrome To Be Demolished". March 17, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Minister of Culture "Dismantles" Beirut's Roman Hippodrome | al Akhbar English". Archived from the original on 2018-01-18. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ "L'Hippodrome romain de Beyrouth englouti par les promoteurs | À la Une | l'Orient-Le Jour". Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ "Lebanon news - NOW Lebanon -Former culture ministers lash out at Layoun over Beirut's Roman hippodrome issue". Archived from the original on 2012-05-14. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Protest called to protect Lebanese ancient ruins | al Akhbar English". Archived from the original on 2018-01-18. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ "Hippodrome Romain de Beyrouth: La Justice suspend la décision de démantèlement suite au recours de l'APPL | Libnanews". Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ Mannheim, Ivan. Syria & Lebanon Handbook: The Travel Guide, page 409
- ^ Gebran, Yacoub. "Hippodrome". Dictionnaire de l'architecture au Liban au XXème siècle. Alphamedia. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
- ^ The Illustrated weekly of India: Volume 85, Issue 2; Volume 85, Issue 2, 1965
- ^ The Israeli Invasion of Lebanon, Part II: Press Profile, Claremont Research and Publications, August 1982/May 1983
- ^ BregmanIsrael, Ahron. Wars: A History Since 1947, page 174
- ^ "Hospitality Services". www.the-gardenshow.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2007.
- ^ Fleming-Farrell, Niamh (30 May 2012). "Where Roses Are Pink and Themes Are Green". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2012.