Shihab Palace in Hadath
The Shihab Palace in Hadath is a historic residence originally built by the Maan emirs in the late 16th century and later passed to the Shihab family. The palace has preserved its original architectural character, and mirrors the architectural style of the Hasbaya Shihabi Citadel, albeit on a smaller scale. After undergoing significant restoration efforts led by Emir Farid Hares Shihab in the mid-20th century, the palace was acquired by the Spanish government in 1964 and has since housed the Spanish Embassy in Lebanon. The palace is the subject of Le palais Chéhab, the first volume in the "Chroniques du Liban" series published by the Association for the Protection of the Lebanese Heritage.
Location
The Shihab Palace is located in the Haret el Botm neighborhood in the Hadath municipality, approximately southeast of Beirut. Situated at an altitude of around above sea level, it lies in a historically significant area of the Baabda District in Mount Lebanon Governorate.History and occupants
The Shihab Palace was built by the Maan emirs in the late 16th century and passed to the Shihab family in the 18th century, who are considered the dynastic heirs of the Maans. The palace has undergone several restorations, the first recorded restoration was undertaken by Emir Melhem Shihab in 1698 who resided in the palace from 1732 to 1754 during his rule as Emir of Mount Lebanon. The palace later became the residence of Emir Sayed Ahmad, who ruled from 1775 to 1786. The residence of Emirs of Mount Lebanon moved to Beiteddine during the reign of Emir Bashir II. During this period, Emir Faris Shihab undertook another restoration in 1797, commemorated by a marble plaque above the palace entrance. The palace once again functioned as the administrative center during the short reign of Emir Bachir III. The Ottoman Empire eventually ended the emirate during this period. Subsequently, in 1843, Mount Lebanon was divided into two administrative districts known as the double kaimakamate system, with separate Christian and Druze governors. Historical records indicate that the palace survived significant damage during the 1860 civil war, including the destruction of its library, which housed a unique collection of manuscripts and historical documents.In 1950, Emir Farid Hares Shihab, then director of General Security and Vice President of Interpol purchased his cousins' shares of the property and carried out extensive restoration work, enlisting the expertise of Pierre-Henri Coupel, an architect and archaeologist specializing in historical monuments. Following the events of 1958, Farid relocated to France and entrusted the palace to his friend, Alfonso Merry del Val y Alzola, then-Spanish ambassador to Lebanon. The Spanish government acquired the property in 1964, ensuring its preservation and continued use as a diplomatic residence. On 17 April 1989, Spanish Ambassador Pedro Manuel Di Aristegui was residing there during the events opposing the Lebanese army and Syrian armed forces. On that day Di Aristegui was hosting his father-in-law, the retired ambassador and Lebanese writer Tawfiq Yusuf Awwad, along with his sister-in-law, poet Samia Tutunji, the building was targeted by the Syrian armed forces with a 240 mm mortar shell that fell in the inner courtyard, a second in the outer courtyard, and a third in the small salon where the ambassador and his guests had taken refuge, killing Di Aristegui, Awad, and Tutunji.