VISIT LEBANON ! Beirut's archeology has revealed a history which dates back at least 5,000 years. In the first century B.C., the Romans colonized it and built a Law School which remained into the Byzantine era. The city was completely destroyed in 551 due to an earthquake, tidal wave and fire striking it all at once. It was later invaded successively by the Arab Muslim forces, the Crusaders, the Mamlukes and the Ottomans. The latter controlled Beirut for 400 years until they were defeated by the Allies in 1918. After that, the city witnessed progressive development until 1975 when it was destroyed by war. In 1992, a massive construction project to rebuild the city center was started. Today one can enjoy the architectural beauty of the renovated structures within the Beirut Central District.