Welcome to ICOMOS Lebanon
Rooted in History, Committed to Preservation
ICOMOS Lebanon is dedicated to safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of Lebanon, promoting the preservation of World Heritage Sites, and advocating for sustainable practices in heritage management.
Photo Credits:
1. Baalbek: ©Unsplash
2. Anjar: © Unsplash
3. Cedar Forest: © Unsplash
4. Cedar Forest: © Nicolas TAWK
5. Qadisha Valley: © Nicolas TAWK
6. Tyr: © Unsplash
7. Byblos: © UNESCO
8. Byblos: © UNESCO
9. Byblos: © UNESCO
10. Rachid Karameh International Fair: © UNESCO
What We Do
History
The Origin of ICOMOS
ICOMOS as an International Organisation
ICOMOS was founded on the 22nd of June 1965 following the adoption of the Venice Charter (1964), with the aim of developing and promoting international standards for the conservation of monuments and sites. Since its creation, ICOMOS has served as UNESCO’s principal advisory body on cultural heritage for the World Heritage Convention.
ICOMOS Lebanon
ICOMOS Lebanon was established on the 22nd of February 2017 to address the specific challenges facing cultural heritage in Lebanon, including urban pressure, conflict-related damage, lack of resources, and the need for capacity building. The National Committee contributes expert knowledge at the national and international levels.
Upcoming Events
News & Updates
Latest from Our Socials
Lebanon Through Your Lens
June 2026 Edition
#PhotoFriday
Every first Friday of the month, ICOMOS Lebanon features a photograph celebrating the richness and diversity of Lebanon's cultural heritage.
From iconic monuments to hidden architectural details, cultural landscapes, and everyday heritage scenes, each selected image offers a fresh perspective on the places that shape our shared memory.
Do you have a photograph that captures the spirit of heritage in Lebanon?
Beaufort Castle: Heritage in the Shadow of Conflict
- Beaufort Castle, Arnoun
- Vatican News
- June 2026
Photo by: Vatican News
Standing above the valleys of South Lebanon for nearly nine centuries, Beaufort Castle-Qalaat al-Shqif, is one of Lebanon’s most powerful heritage landmarks. Built in the 12th century and shaped by countless chapters of history, the fortress has long carried the weight of the region’s memory.
Today, images of smoke rising behind its ancient stones remind us of a painful truth: heritage sites are not only monuments of the past, they are fragile witnesses of the present. When conflict reaches places like Beaufort, the damage is never only physical. It touches identity, memory, and the shared history of generations.
Beaufort Castle is not just a military or archaeological site. It is part of Lebanon’s cultural landscape, a landmark that has survived conquest, abandonment, restoration, and war. Its preservation matters because it belongs to the story of all who have lived around it, crossed it, studied it, and inherited it.
This month’s photo is a reminder that cultural heritage must be protected, especially in moments of crisis. Once damaged or lost, these places cannot simply be rebuilt; their meaning, authenticity, and historical depth are irreplaceable.
Collaborating Authorities & Organizations
ICOMOS Lebanon works in coordination with national authorities and in alignment with international heritage frameworks, including those of ICOMOS International, UNESCO, ICCROM, IUCN, and Blue Shield.
Join our Work
For inquiries, please contact us at icomoslebanon@icomos.org for any furtherinformation or collaboration opportunities.
