Beit Beirut, the House of Beirut, is a museum that focuses more on highlighting the building in which it is housed than on the exhibits inside. The building suffered tremendously during the long Lebanese Civil War which lasted more than 15 years (1975-1990). Being geographically situated on the so-called Green Line, the line that divided the city in two, the building got heavily damaged. Militias fought over it and built bunkers inside to defend their positions. Several bunkers inside have been kept as a grim reminder of the war. The outer walls have been purposely left without a full renovation. They show many shell and bullet holes. The metal patching that was done to make the building sound used gray metal to contrast with the original yellowstone facade. Keeping your mind from questioning the decisions that were made during the building's long recovery period will make your visit one to remember.