Mim museum

When Salim Edde started building up his collection of minerals in 1997, he may or may have not known it would yield what is now considered one of the world's paramount private collections for its variety and quality. With more than 1600 minerals from over 65 countries on display, the collection at Mim museum is one not to be missed for all mineral and metal lovers...and non-lovers for that matter. Whether you work in the field, are a passionate enthusiast or are clueless about minerals (and/or metals) but appreciate beauty, this museum will not fail to leave you with a lasting impression. Prepare to get way more than you bargained for: pay the ridiculously low admission fee (comparable to that of the Lebanon National Museum) and step into a world of mind-boggling cultural wealth. The exhibits are divided into a main gallery and a "treasure" section; both heavily guarded by cordial but not-to-be-messed with security staff. Complete with digital educational tools, informative videos and displays, Mim offers a world-class museum experience.

The name of the museum comes from the twenty-fourth letter of the Arabic alphabet (Mim) and is the equivalent of the Latin letter M. It is also the first letter of the Arabic words for Museum, Mineral and Metal, which coincidentally is also the case in English and French. The goal of this permanent exhibit located within the campus of Universite Saint Joseph is to promote the historical, industrial, economic and aesthetic of mineralogy.