Rene Mouawad Park or Sanayeh Garden
About the place
- Country : Lebanon , Beirut
- Address : Beirut, Lebanon
- Category : Parks and Gardens
- Establishing Date : 1908 AD
- founder : Ottoman Sultan "Abd al-Hamid II"
Rene Mouawad Park or Sanayeh Garden
Overview:
• Sanayeh Park is a public park in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The park is one of the last green outlets for the people of the city.
• The garden lost its old name and replaced it with the name “Rene Mouawad,” but in the memory of the people of the city it remained the “Sanayeh Garden”, it is considered the available green window to escape from the city and which for a long time was “the garden of the bourgeoisie” until the war came and the park became for the poor and the ordinary people.
Historic overview:
• The Ottoman Sultan "Abd al-Hamid II" issued a decree establishing the Al-Hamidi Trade and Crafts Office (currently the Ministry of Interior building and the National Library). Besides him, the park was inaugurated on an area of private land and private endowments.
• It was estimated at about 22,000 square meters, provided by the Tabbara family, Tayyara, Al-Hass, Suwar and other families. As for the first seedlings planted in this garden, it was in the year 1907 AD, before its official opening in the year 1908 AD.
• In May 2014, it was completely rehabilitated over two years with funding from the Azadea Foundation in the amount of $ 2.5 million. The opening was interspersed with entertainment shows, and the garden fountain was filmed within the framework of a mythical story written by May Mansi, in which she encouraged visitors to make wishes and put a flower of Dahlia, which symbolizes peace in the ancient fountain.
Architectural description:
• The rehabilitation project has taken into account the reduction of tiled spaces and the increase of green areas, the allocation of places for children, paths for bicycles, and the establishment of a small amphitheatre on which cultural activities and concerts are held, a corner for exhibitions was also established, and there is also a wall of celebrities with paintings bearing the names of Lebanese artists in an annual celebration.
• The park has installed 150 seats that can accommodate 450 people. As for its antique fountain, it was rehabilitated and became 20 meters high. It is currently the highest fountain in Beirut.
Resources:
Annahar website
