Al-Omari Grand Mosque 🇱🇧

Located in the central district of Beirut, Lebanon, the Al-Omari Grand Mosque (also known as Jami' Al-Kabir) offers you a remarkable journey through layers of world history. As a vibrant Sunni Islam place of worship, this extraordinary site has transformed across millennia to reflect the city's changing empires. When you visit, you will step inside a structure that originally stood as an Ancient Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter.

Over the centuries, it evolved into a Byzantine Roman basilica with intricate mosaics, a 7th-century mosque named after Islam's second caliph, Umar Bin El Khattab, and later the 12th-century Crusader Church of Saint John. Re-converted into a mosque by Mamluk Egypt in 1291, it underwent significant refurbishment in 2004 following damage sustained during the Lebanese Civil War. As you explore, be sure to look for original Roman columns and foundations integrated alongside a Mamluk-style entrance, domes, and minarets added around 1350.

The architectural blend beautifully captures Romanesque, Byzantine, and Islamic design influences. Visiting this historic sanctuary allows you to appreciate how ancient capitals, repurposed materials, and enduring faith continue to shape Beirut’s urban heart.

What to see at Al-Omari Grand Mosque

• Visible Ancient Roman columns and structural foundations
• Mamluk-style entrance, domes, and minarets added around 1350
• Architectural elements reflecting its past as the Crusader Church of Saint John
• Refurbished construction completed in 2004 under architect Youssef Haidar

Visiting tips

Pay close attention to the structural columns and foundations to spot re-used ancient Roman building materials.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Al-Omari Grand Mosque is easy to reach on Beirut’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Sursock Museum and law school of Berytus. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Beirut travel guide.