Baalbek’s Historic Palmyra Hotel Sustains Damage in Airstrikes

The recent attacks on Baalbek have left significant damage to many of its cultural and archaeological landmarks. Notably affected were the historic Al-Manshieh and Qubbat Douris near the Baalbek temples. The iconic Palmyra Hotel, which is over 150 years old, also sustained damage in recent airstrikes.

A distressing image circulated on social media revealing the damage. The image showed the “Fairuz Room”, room 17. This was legendary singer Fairuz’s favorite room where she frequently stayed, particularly when she was performing at the Baalbek Festivals.

The History of the Palmyra Hotel

The Palmyra Hotel, located near the Baalbek ruins, is a journey through centuries worth of history. Built by Greek businessman Perikili Mimikakis in 1874, the hotel became a landmark for its striking view of the ruins.

As one of the first hotels in the Middle East, the Palmyra Hotel has never closed its doors. Despite enduring two world wars, the Lebanese civil war, the 2006 war, and continuing challenges, it has remained open to visitors.

Its Stunning Architecture and Famous Entrance

The hotel is known for its architecture, boasting a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. It also features a diverse array of contemporary artworks and luxurious Persian carpets in its corridors.

The hotel was so popular that several artists left their works behind. This includes Omar Onsi, Amin Basha, and Jean Cocteau. Cocteau actually left a collection of his drawings after an extended stay in the sixties.

The walls are also adorned with photographs of prominent figures who have stayed there.

One of the hotel’s most prominent features is its entrance. It is distinguished by three arches supported by ornate columns, as well as windows and a balcony overlooking the ruins. There is also a wing consisting of five rooms. Each room is named in honor of a prominent guest, including the previously mentioned “Fairuz Room”.

The hotel is currently owned by the Al-Husseini family, who have preserved its historic character.

Notable Visitors: Who Stayed at the Hotel?

The hotel tells stories of the historic city and its visitors. Arab and international figures have stayed in its rooms, making it a museum of Baalbek’s history.

Within the walls of the Palmyra Hotel, meetings and agreements have taken place that shaped the course of history in the region. Notable visitors include General Gouraud in 1920 and German Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1889, before archaeological missions uncovered Baalbek’s treasures.

The hotel has hosted royal figures and heads of state, such as Charles de Gaulle, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, King Faisal I of Iraq, King Abdullah I of Jordan, and the Shah of Iran. Other notable figures like J.P. Morgan, Agatha Christie, Bernard Shaw, and even Albert Einstein have also stayed at the hotel.

The hotel has also welcomed icons such as jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald and singer Nina Simone, along with renowned Arab artists like Fairuz, Sabah, Umm Kulthum, Wadih El Safi, Nasri Shamseddine, the Rahbani brothers, and Farid al-Atrash.

The Palmyra Hotel preserves the history of its guests through the Golden Book, or Le Livre d’Or. This book is divided into two sections: the first spans from 1889 to 1907, and the second covers 1907 to the present day. Each guest has left a personal note, sharing their impressions of Baalbek and their experience at the hotel. The pages of this book hold a rich history, translated into several languages.

The Palmyra Hotel stands as a historical museum, telling the city’s story through the eyes of its visitors from its past.

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