The Kaïsariyyeh
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The
Kaïssariyyeh or Caesarea.
Built during the reign of the Emir Fakhreddine II in 1595 this closed public
market place was originally intended to house shops trading in valuable goods
such as precious stones and metals and especially silks. Because of their value,
these goods were popularly classified as Imperial merchandise. The word Kaïssar
means Emperor - hence the name Kaïssariyyeh.
A
gallery of small arcades used by the various traders to sell their wares
surrounds the rectangular courtyard with a rectangular water basin and fountain
at its center.
On the south-facing wall, facing Emir
Youssef Chehab’s palace, a sculpted archway opens onto a large alcove which
was originally the main entrance to the building. This gave direct access to
pedestrians from the “Midane” via a stairway to the Kaïssariyyeh.
The
fires, which occurred during the events in 1841, destroyed a large area of this
edifice. Recently restored, it now houses exhibitions and cultural events organized
by the Town’s Initiative Committee during the summer “Estivales”,
and also by the French Cultural Center. Here, one can gain access via a small
stairway situated at the south-eastern angle of the central courtyard.
