Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»Magazine»Old Lebanon
    2 Mins Read

    How the Citadel of Rashaya shaped the Lebanese Independence

    By Cybelle YazbeckNovember 23, 2018Updated:November 22, 2022
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    On November 8, 1943, after the election of President Bechara El Khoury and the appointment of Prime Minister Riad al-Solh, the Chamber of Deputies altered the Lebanese Constitution – abolishing the articles referring to the French Mandate.

    The French responded by arresting the President, the Prime Minister, and other cabinet members, and exiling them to an old citadel located in Rashaya.

    Located in the West Bekaa area, Rashaya is still considered a traditional Lebanese town with its old paved streets and small shops. It retains a distinguished character of traditional stone houses with red-tiled roofs.

    The economy of the town is primarily based on agriculture:  cherries, olives, apricots and grapes.

    The Rashaya Citadel or Citadel of Independence is a national monument.

    It was built around the 14th century and was refurbished as a palace by the Shihab family in the 18th century. It was used by the French Mandate and is now stationed by the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    It is open for tourists and locals, under the army’s surveillance.

    Located on a hill, the castle was considered a strategic location in wars and battles. Underground passages between the town and the citadel are established in case of sieges, providing food, water and all kinds of equipment.

    Due to its remote location, strategic position and strong protection, it was the perfect place for the French Mandate to lock up the “men of the independence”.

    The prisoners included Bechara El Khoury (later the first post-independence President of Lebanon), Riad El-Solh (later the Prime Minister), Salim Takla, Camille Chamoun, Adel Osseiran and Abdelhamid Karameh.

    The imprisonment lasted for 11 days, leading to national and international pressure for their release and France soon relented.

    On November 22, 1943, the prisoners were released.

    That day was declared the Lebanese Independence Day.

    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    Fattoush

    Lebanon’s Fattoush Ranked One of the Best Salads in the World (Again!)

    Lebanese talking-stage

    15 Things Your Lebanese Talking-Stage Will Tell You, And What It Actually Means

    Lebanon Making Videos 961

    You Can Now Get Paid To Go Around Lebanon Making Videos

    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    May 7, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    visa whish money partnership

    Visa and Whish Money Just Partnered To Push Digital Payments in Lebanon and Abroad

    May 6, 2025
    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    May 3, 2025
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    June 30, 2022
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay