Ever since the large part of the downtown of Lebanon’s capital was devastated by a huge explosion on August 4, cultural institutions and nonprofit organizations around the world have offered financial and technical support to Beirut’s museums, libraries and galleries. The initiative to help the artists and cultural operators of Beirut was launched by the World Monuments Fund and the Louvre museum. Later the initiative was joined by UNESCO and the International Council of Museums. 

Overall 8 important museums in the city center have sustained significant structural damage. The most damaged is the world famous Sursock Art Museum which has lost all of its stained glass windows, ornate doors and most of the roof tiles. Museum of Lebanese Prehistory and Archeological Museum within the American University of Beirut have also been severely hit by the shock wave and flying debris of the explosion. It is estimated that the reconstruction aff all damaged cultural institutions will take several years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. 

You can explore the devastated building of Sursock museum here.