Day 4, Part 2 - Byzantine Mosaics Collection, Beiteddine Palace

 

This collection of mosaic art is preserved & on display along the walls of the Palace's lower gardens & under the vaulted ceilings of the former palace stables. It is considered the "most spectacular collection of Byzantine mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean, if not the world." The ones shown here were mostly excavated from an ancient church at Jiyyeh. Our guide book points out that this "magnificent collection includes some 30 room-sized mosaics and many smaller ones. The designs are often geometric and stylized, reflecting the austere nature of early Christianity in the area, but there are also depictions of animals, including leopards, bulls, gazelles and birds, as well as religious figures."(Lonely Planet p. 172) Some mosaics were presented on the floor while others were mounted vertically on walls. 


Keith stands on steps between 2 small mosaics.

This mosaic is in the center of a lawn on one of the lower terraces.

Does this mosaic look familiar? It was used in a lightened form for the background of most of our Lebanon web pages.

One of several descriptive plaques telling of "The Mosaic of Jiyyeh."

A large mosaic on the floor in the stable area.

A wall mounted mosaic.

This one is set on the wall under an arch.

A close-up of the previously presented mosaic.

More horizontal & vertical mosaics in the stable area.

This one shows depictions of several different animals.

This is the same mosaic of animals presented here with a different camera setting.

Interesting birds and vessels.

More in a dimly lit area of the old stable.

An interesting vertically presented mosaic with writing. 

Another descriptive plaque discussing the development of Lebanese mosaic art.

An obviously religious mosaic.

In addition to the person depicted, here are many animals & objects.

Another large mosaic presented vertically.

We leave the area of mosaics and emerge back in to the outer courtyard.

Just before leaving the Palace grounds, Keith notices this more modern piece of "art with a message."

This "bonus" photo of an ancient mosaic floor was taken the day before next to the Church of St. John the Baptist in Byblos.

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