Beit Beirut, Beirut

Beit Beirut is a museum and urban cultural center located in Beirut, that serves as a commemorative space for the city's complex history, with a particular emphasis on the Lebanese Civil War. The center is housed in the historically significant Barakat building, also known as the "Yellow House." This building, designed by the renowned architect Youssef Aftimus, stands as a prominent symbol of Beirut's wartime past due to its bullet-peppered facade and colonnade.

Originally threatened by post-war reconstruction efforts that saw many similar buildings demolished, the Barakat building was saved from destruction by the efforts of activists, intellectuals, and architects. They argued that preserving such structures would aid in creating a collective memory of the civil war, thereby helping to unify the Lebanese people and heal societal divisions.

Endorsed by Beirut's mayor in 2007, Abdel Menem al-Aris, Beit Beirut was envisioned to showcase the city's rich history, with a particular focus on the Civil War period. The design plan for the building retains much of its war-torn exterior, including the ground and first floors, as a deliberate reminder of the conflict. Elements such as bullet holes, sniper barricades, and even personal belongings of former residents like Fouad Chemali, a dentist who lived there since 1943, are preserved in their original state.

The second floor of Beit Beirut features a permanent exhibition that traces the history of Beirut from the nineteenth century to the present. This exhibition includes important documents, records, and municipal archives, which are made accessible to the public. Meanwhile, the renovated upper floors of the building are designed to accommodate a multifunctional hall that hosts a variety of temporary cultural, artistic, and musical events, further establishing Beit Beirut as a pivotal cultural hub in the city.