Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral 🇱🇧

Welcome to Beirut's oldest extant church, the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Consecrated in 1764, this resilient sanctuary sits directly over the ruins of the fifth-century Anastasis cathedral. As you step inside, you will experience a site steeped in history, from its origin linked to tradition involving Apostle Quartus to its surviving of severe earthquakes, civil war damage, and modern explosions.

Inside the cathedral, you can admire architectural features like its cruciform plan, three naves, and an ornate gilded wooden iconostasis donated in 1783 by Younes al-Jbeily. Beneath your feet lies the archaeological crypt museum, inaugurated in 2011. Here, you can walk through twelve fascinating stops showcasing historical layers spanning the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, and Ottoman eras.

You will see ancient mosaics, stone engravings, columns from the old city's Cardo maximus, and original parts of older altars and apses. The displays also feature oil lamps, pottery, Christian ornaments, and an excavated necropolis containing twenty-five burials, including a unique tomb with a bronze tiara and amulets. The underground circuit concludes at a glass partition that offers a striking view up toward the cathedral’s main altar.

What to see at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

• Beirut's oldest extant church, consecrated in 1764 over 5th-century Byzantine ruins.
• An ornate gilded wooden iconostasis gifted to the cathedral in 1783.
• Underground crypt museum featuring 12 historical stops from Hellenistic to Ottoman eras.
• Ancient mosaics, Cardo maximus columns, and remnants of older church altars.
• An excavated necropolis displaying stone slab tombs and historic funeral artifacts.

Visiting tips

Enter the underground crypt museum from the stairwell on the cathedral's northern side to explore the ancient archaeological layers beneath.

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

How to get there & what’s nearby

Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral 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.