Beirut Souks
Coordinates: 33°53′56.46″N 35°30′14.28″E / 33.8990167°N 35.5039667°E
Beirut Souks is a major commercial district in Beirut Central District. With over 200 shops, 25 restaurants and cafes, a children’s science museum, an entertainment center, a 14 cinema complex, periodic street markets and an upcoming a department store, it is Beirut's largest and most diverse shopping and leisuree areas.Beirut Souks also provide ample piazzas and public space that make them attract individuals and families, especially during weekends and special events.
The souks have historically been at the commercial heart of Beirut. They sustained severe damage during the Lebanese Civil War and were rebuilt by Solidere according to the ancient Greek street grid, maintaining the historic landmarks and pre-war street names.
Souk al-Tawileh and Souk al-Jamil were a favorite shopping destination before the civil war and were frequented by Lebanese and Europeans alike since they housed fashionable boutiques and haute-couture houses, while Souk al-Franj functioned as Lebanon’s biggest fruit, vegetable and flower market.
During the Lebanese Civil War, Beirut was the scene of fierce battles between warring factions; after a few months of fighting, the brief ceasefire in September 1975 allowed the business owners of Beirut's central district to evacuate their shops' assets before fighting resumed turning downtown Beirut, including its souks into a sniper patrolled no man's land. In October 1975, fighting extended to the souks, gunmen blew up shops and set others on fire. The destruction of the souks affected Christian and Muslim merchants alike. The battle of the souks lasted for 2 and half months until December 1975 before extending to the residential area of Ras Beirut During the spring of 1983, the Antoun Bey Khan, a historic caravanserai and a landmark of the souks was demolished to clear the view towards the sea.
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