The Hotel Palmyra is a historic establishment in Baalbek, Lebanon. Located in front of the ancient Roman ruins, the hotel oozes old-style charm, with ancient furnishings, and green ostrich-skin lampshades. The hotel features a diverse array of contemporary artworks and colourful tapestries adorning the walls as well as luxurious Persian carpets in its corridors, reminiscent of a bygone era. The hotel is known for its rich history.[1]
History
The hotel was built by a Greek businessman in 1874, who recognised the appeal of Baalbek's spectacular Roman ruins, which sit just across the road. The hotel has mixed fortunes. Within its walls, in 1920 the Declaration of the Greater Lebanon was signed, which established the boundaries of modern-day Lebanon.[2]
In its heyday the hotel attracted royals and politicians, as well as writers, artists, performers and world-famous musicians. In this way, the hotel got a place of Lebanese collective memory. Today, it is a top destination for tourists and academics.[3]
On 6 of November 2024, during the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike severely damaged the hotel. The stained-glass windows on its facade, a delicate lace of wood and glass, untouched since 1874, were all shattered.[1]
Notable guests
The Palmyra Hotel was once the place to stay, with guests including German Emperor Wilhelm II, Charles de Gaulle, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Albert Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, and even some legendary artists who graced the stage of the Baalbeck International Festival, notably Joan Baez, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Umm Kulthum and Fairuz. In the corridors hang sketches and letters signed by Jean Cocteau after his two stays at the hotel in 1956 and 1960. The walls are also adorned with photographs of prominent figures who have stayed there.[4]
Gallery
References
34°00′12.62″N 36°12′16.10″E / 34.0035056°N 36.2044722°E / 34.0035056; 36.2044722
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