Martyr's Square
Martyr's Square
3.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Martyr's Square
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
845 within 5 kms
Attractions
102 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
55 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
21
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Kevin R
England, UK74 contributions
Nov 2019
The history of the civil war tour was most informative and was told on an organised trip to Martyrs Square and other interesting attractions/landmarks. I went during the demos but it was very peaceful and no way did I every feel threatened during my whole stay in Beirut. You do get an adrenaline rush when you go through customs, who wouldn't? We're talking Beirut here. You will have no problem with the taxi drivers as long as you agree the fare but before you get in. If you travel a little, you can see the beautiful unspoiled Lebanese (Mediterranean) coastline and at Byblos there is a very interesting fossil museum. Not to mention the fascinatingly natural Jeita Caves. Lebanon is inspirational.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Humaira
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia15 contributions
Nov 2019
Its the heart of beirut city! Currently there are demonstrations against the government. Its a symbolic place for lebanese people since it has seen so many historical events throughout the years
Written 7 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nads
Beirut, Lebanon23 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
If you see the old pictures of Martyrs Square you will feel robbed.
I never saw the glory days and they seem so out of reach now. The square is surrounded by car parks, traffic and construction. You have a high chance of getting run over just trying to reach it. It is now the centre of political demonstrations and sad displays of lonely Christmas tree or Ramadan decorations. There are some archeological sites that are now exposed but neglected . The new mosque in the corner of the square is a magnificent site, flanked by beautiful historic churches and a great example of deco architecture the old opera house (Virgin building) but those are are about all that is left that can be called cultural. May history forgive us.
I never saw the glory days and they seem so out of reach now. The square is surrounded by car parks, traffic and construction. You have a high chance of getting run over just trying to reach it. It is now the centre of political demonstrations and sad displays of lonely Christmas tree or Ramadan decorations. There are some archeological sites that are now exposed but neglected . The new mosque in the corner of the square is a magnificent site, flanked by beautiful historic churches and a great example of deco architecture the old opera house (Virgin building) but those are are about all that is left that can be called cultural. May history forgive us.
Written 1 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
THOMASFROMDAMASCUS
Syria4,058 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Within the Martyrs’ Square is located a famous sculpture or monument. It is called the Martyrs’ Monument and is in the center of the main square and is adjacent to the Northern Side of the Solider Area of reconstruction in Beirut, Lebanon.
This monument originally was sculptured by an Italian sculptor to commemorate the killing of the first Lebanese during the 1916 Ottoman Period and occupation. This 4 meter high monument shows two women holding hands, supposedly a Moslem and a Christian standing over a coffin with a man lying below. I believe it was originally erected in 1960 in Martyrs’ Square.
During the Lebanese Civil War the monument was riddled with bullet holes and in 1996 the Martyrs’ monument was dismantled and restored. The restoration intentionally preserved the marks of war damage thus making it even more unique as you see the many holes created from the Civil War.
If one is visiting Beirut for the first time you must stop by and view this extremely interesting monument! You will not be sorry trust me on this point.
This monument originally was sculptured by an Italian sculptor to commemorate the killing of the first Lebanese during the 1916 Ottoman Period and occupation. This 4 meter high monument shows two women holding hands, supposedly a Moslem and a Christian standing over a coffin with a man lying below. I believe it was originally erected in 1960 in Martyrs’ Square.
During the Lebanese Civil War the monument was riddled with bullet holes and in 1996 the Martyrs’ monument was dismantled and restored. The restoration intentionally preserved the marks of war damage thus making it even more unique as you see the many holes created from the Civil War.
If one is visiting Beirut for the first time you must stop by and view this extremely interesting monument! You will not be sorry trust me on this point.
Written 3 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cymro
Coimbra, Portugal3,310 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The square was the dividing line between the warring factions during the civil war. Some of the area has been reconstructed, but work is still in progress. The bullet holed Statue of the Martyrs, a memorable to the martyrs executed there under Ottoman rule, is located in the centre of the square and a definite photo opportunity. Nearby is a mosque and there is a view of the sea. There are also some ancient ruins, but no information to say whether they are Phoenician, Roman, or later. There's a lot of traffic in the area, but it's Beirut, there's always lots of traffic.
Written 22 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steamingaround
Dorset147 contributions
May 2018 • Family
The beautiful Hariri Mosque and memorial is located here. It's busy with traffic, just off the Downtown mall area. Worth a look
Written 22 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,434 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
In the Sursock museum I saw an old photo of the the square: garden, kiosk, fountain, many people getting together. Once the center of a united vibrant city martyr's square became a battle ground during the Lebanese civil war, the scene of division.
Meanwhile West and East Beirut have been restored or rebuilt, but the connecting link still looks like a car park and a neglected space. Hope city planners will make the square great again, plant trees and create a pleasant place where people can get together and unite again.
Meanwhile West and East Beirut have been restored or rebuilt, but the connecting link still looks like a car park and a neglected space. Hope city planners will make the square great again, plant trees and create a pleasant place where people can get together and unite again.
Written 18 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LariesDXB
Beirut, Lebanon191 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
You will inevitably walk through this square when in downtown Beirut coming from the Amin Mosque or walking down to the pubs or restaurants or crossing to vibrant GEmayze. It looks like a huge parking lot with a monument in the middle.
This square has shaped the history of Lebanon and continues to do so. Revolutions have taken form here, history has been written here and the bullet holes on the Martyr's monument bear witness to the civil war also. Not a place I would seek out, but nice to notice as you walk across.
This square has shaped the history of Lebanon and continues to do so. Revolutions have taken form here, history has been written here and the bullet holes on the Martyr's monument bear witness to the civil war also. Not a place I would seek out, but nice to notice as you walk across.
Written 16 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jurgen B
Brussels, Belgium2,904 contributions
Sept 2019
I passed here several times: one time some young macho drivers (are there any other in this dreadful city?) were street racing, one time a small but loud demonstration passed and always there were many taxis blowing their loud horns all the time
Written 8 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danks Knows
Shoalhaven, Australia2,252 contributions
Aug 2019
The Martyr Statue located in the Martyr Square in Downtown Beirut and has enormous significance in recent Lebanese history. The Martyrs are people killed by the Ottomans in the early 1900’s, however, the statue was the demarcation point between the warring sides during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990. There are plans to construct a square here that will be the centre piece of the city of Beirut.
Written 26 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing