Beit Mery

Infobox City Lebanon
official_name = Beit Mery
native_name = بيت مري
governorate = Mount Lebanon Governorate
district = Matn District
elevation_m = 800
mapx = 33.8656
mapy = 35.5953

Overlooking the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, the town of Beit Mery has been a summer, mountain resort since the times of the Romans. Beit Mery is home to a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center. [ [http://www.dm.net.lb/redcross/our_centers.html Our Centers ] ]

Culture

In winter, the town is also the scene of an annual cultural festival, the Al Bustan festival, [ [http://www.albustanfestival.com/ Al Bustan Festival ] ] held at the Al Bustan hotel [ [http://www.albustanhotel.com/home.htm Hotel Al Bustan - Beirut ] ] that features international drama and dance groups as well as orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Demography

The inhabitants of Beit Mery are Christian Lebanese, mostly Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Armenian Orthodox and Druze.

Geography

Beit Mery occupies a hill, 800 meters above sea level, which gives the picturesque town spectacular views of the Beirut peninsula and the Mediterranean coast.

History

The Roman emperors who ruled Lebanon made Beit Mery their summer resort due to its high location and pleasant summer weather. [ [http://www.ikamalebanon.com/accommodations/region/mount_acc/city_village/beitmery.htm Beit Mery ] ]

Tourism

The town is known for its ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins as well as the historic Maronite Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, which was built in 1750. [ [http://www.ikamalebanon.com/national_heritage/mount_nh/mt_cities_nh/beitmery.htm Beit Mery ] ] The town, which is only 16 km from Beirut, continues to be a major summer resort in Lebanon with a large number of famous hotels, most notably Al Bustan and Printania. Lush pine forests surround the town and restaurants with panoramic views of the valleys and the sea make Beit Mery a favorite summer spot.

External links

*http://www.beitmery.com Printania hotel is in a Brumana not Beit Mery.

References