Площадь Мучеников Бейрута: История и Трансформация

Historical central public square of Beirut, Lebanon

Martyrs' Square (ساحة الشهداء ), historically known as "Al Burj" or "Place des Cannons", is the historical central public square of Beirut, Lebanon. Like the Martyr's Square in Damascus, it is named after the 6 May 1916 executions ordered by Djemal Pasha during World War I.

In 1931, the historic square took its name to commemorate the martyrs executed there under Ottoman rule. In the 1950s, the square became a popular venue for cinemas and coffee houses. During the Lebanese Civil War, it was part of the demarcation line that divided the city in half.

Initially named Sahat al Burj, the Municipality of Beirut modernized the square in 1878 as the main meeting place of the city. Beshara Effendi designed a garden with fountain and kiosks, overlooked by the Petit Serail – the seat of Beirut's governor general – as well as public buildings and souks. After that, the square underwent a lot of transformations until 1931, where it took the name of Martyrs' Square in commemoration of the martyrs executed there under Ottoman rule and a monument was erected. In 1950, the Petit Serail was demolished. The new Rivoli cinema blocked the link between the square and the harbor. Martyrs' Square became Beirut's bus and taxi terminus and a popular venue for cinemas, coffee houses, modest hotels and the red light district. During the Civil War (1975–1990), Martyrs' Square formed the demarcation line that divided the city in half. In 2005, an international competition was launched for the design of a new square with its axis open to the sea, reestablishing Martyrs' Square as Beirut's premier public space and heart of the capital.

1773: Initially Sahat al Burj, it became Place du canon, after the Russian cannon that was placed on the square. 1860: Renamed Place des canons after the Russian cannon was replaced by cannons from the French fleet. 1878: Municipality of Beirut modernized the square as the main meeting place of the city. 1884: Named Hamidiyyeh Square in honor of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. 1906: The tramway was built and placed the square at the center of Beirut's transport network. 1908: Named Freedom Square following the advent of the Young Turks revolution. 1931: The square took the name of Martyrs' Square in commemoration of the martyrs executed there under Ottoman rule. 1950: The demolition of the Petit Serail, which was earlier proposed during the early years of the French Mandate. 1975–1990: Civil war, Martyrs' Square formed the demarcation line that divided the city in half. 2005: International competition was launched for the design of a new square.