A glimmer of good news amidst the terrible situation:
Urgent Rescue Mission at Beiteddine Palace: Partial Restoration of the Hammam!
Over the past few months, our team has been hard at work restoring parts of the Hammam at Beiteddine Palace. Surface conservator May El-Hajj, alongside four dedicated trainees, focused on consolidating the detached painted plaster and stucco.
We’ve also replaced the 16 broken oculi to prevent water damage during the rainy season.
Simultaneously, the team cleaned the domes, removing layers of waterproofing coats added over the years. They documented all cracked glass and partnered with a glass maker in Sarafand to craft new pieces.
In July, more than 450 glass pieces were delivered and installed, ensuring the Hammam’s preservation. Every material and method used reflects those from three centuries ago, preserving the authenticity of this historical gem.
This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and U.S. Embassy Beirut.
With the support of the Directorate General of Antiquities.
Consultant: Nathalie Chahine Chabab
Contractor: JV Roland Haddad & ACE
Hammam’s Surface Conservator: May El-Hajj
