Main Landmarks in The History of RHF

Cultural Heritage-Restoration and Preservation

Heritage Preservation

The concern about Lebanese heritage became of considerable significance following the Israeli invasion in 1982.  Rafic Hariri dedicated unprecedented support towards restoring, renovating, and preserving the Lebanese heritage. The most important works That he volunteered in order to preserve Lebanese outstanding heritage sites are the following:

• Reconstructing and Renovating the Great Omari Mosque in Sidon, which was heavily shelled by Israeli planes in 1982. It was built in the twelfth century and thus, considered a monumental achievement in the history of Sidon.  It now stand as a great elegant edifice from the past.
• Restoring the Katakhdah Mosque which was built during the Ottoman Rule in the center of Old Sidon. It was destroyed by the earthquake that hit the Lebanese coast in 1956.
• Renovating Khan Al-Frenj (The French inn). Thanks to an agreement concluded in 1992 with the French Ministry of Foreign Affair for a period of 33 years, the Inn has been turned into a center for cultural activities and art exhibitions under the patronage of Hariri Foundation. This monument dates back to the early seventeenth century when Emir Fakhreddin Al – Maani built it to be a business station between Sidon Toscana and Venice in Italy.
• Restoring the grand mansion of the Turkish ruler, Known to bridge presently by Aa'isha Um Al Mu'mineen School.
• In addition around five hundred houses in Old Sidon were restored through a joint project with the Directorate of Antiquity.
• Following the uncovering of  antiquities, that date back to different eras in history in Downtown Beirut and within the frame work of the Solidere Project, Hariri Foundation donated one million dollars to help the Lebanese government, in cooperation with UNESCO, in implementing that important project.