|
BEIRUT
Capital of Lebanon, gateway to the Orient on the
crossroad of Asia, Europe and Africa, this once luminous city has
suffered from the past years of war and has been abandoned by a lot
of its inhabitants. But, like the Phoenix eternally raising from its
ashes, Beirut also has fought its way back and launched a 25 years
reconstruction plan. Traders to the core as they are, the Beirutins
do not waste time. Hamra street, the equivalent of the French
Champs-Elysees, found back its former glory with luxury shops,
hotels, and attractive coffee shops. In the 4th century AD, the
Roman colony Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus (so-called in honor
of the Emperor Augustus' only daughter) hosted a law school, which
was as renowned as the ones in Athens and Alexandria. During ongoing
reconstruction works, excavations revealed remains of different
epochs from the Cananean, Phoenician, Persian, Roman, Byzantine,
Omayyad till the Ottoman period, thus allowing to better
reconstitute the history of this city. Even if the newly constructed
quarters gain way, one can still stroll in the narrow streets of
Achrafieh or, after a walkabout at the Place des Canons, dawdle in
the souks situated at the westside of the Place des Martyrs.
THE CHOUF
AREA
Deir El Qamar, or "Convent of the Moon" is the
ancient residence of the Governors of Lebanon in the 16th and 17th
centuries: the restored Baz and the Al Kharge palaces, a church, the
Fahkr Eddine mosque, and a druze temple can be visited. Further on,
halfway on the road to Beit Eddine, one should definitely bring a
visit to the peculiar Castle of Moussa. At Beit-Eddine at last,
built on a rocky mountain peak overlooking a deep gully, the Palace
of Emir Bechir 2, governor of Mt Lebanon for almost half a century,
is a real architectural marvel. Classified as historical monument
since 1934 and turned into museum, it's probably one of the most
visited places of interest in Lebanon!
BAALBECK
Baalbeck was situated at the parting of the greatest
commercial roads linking the Mediterranean coast with the interior
of the continent from one side and connecting northern Syria with
northern Palestine from the other. Even today, Baalbeck keeps its
important economical and financial role in the north of the Bekaa
Valley. A breathtaking beauty spot: against the Lebanese mount stand
out the most imposing and among the best
Conserved Roman temples, the marvels of antiquity. These Greek-Roman
and Byzantine
Remnants were dedicated to the cult of the Sun. The Great Temple, or
the Temple of Jupiter with its six twenty-two meter gigantic
columns, and the great court and the Temples of Venus and Bacchus
remain mainly intact, surviving wars and earthquakes, thanks to the
meticulous restoration during a decade by archaeologists.
BECHARREH
Becharreh is the town where the famous writer Khalil
Gibran, author of " The Prophet" was born. A museum has
been dedicated to him and one can also visit his grave. In this area
stand the last vestiges of Lebanon's magnificence from the biblical
times: the Cedars. This wood has been so coveted and exploited since
Antiquity - Egyptians, for instance, were using it for their
sarcophagus and for their "solar boats" that not more than
three or four hundreds are left. Nowadays called " The Cedars
", this place has become a trendy winter resort due to these
legendary cedars that also represent the national emblem.
In the same area, the stalactites and stalagmites of the Qadicha
caves in the Qadicha Mountains or the Holy Valley, where the
Maronite community takes its roots, remain a pole of attraction.
AFQA
An absolutely beautiful natural setting granted with a
cave and a basin. The mystic powers of this spot still incite people
to come and take a "ritual" bath. Actually, it is here
that the Adonis River (Nahr Ibrahim) and the myth of Adonis were
born. The Adonis cave appears to be surprisingly vast inside, quite
the opposite of what one may think while standing in front of the
moderate entrance. Nothing of the past here remains but what is left
of a Roman temple-destroyed by men-, where celebrations were held in
honor of Adonis.
TRIPOLI (TRABLOUS)
This city was in the past the center of a Phoenician federation,
including Saida, Tyr and the island of Arados (Arwad in Syria), from
where originated its name Tripolis, meaning the three cities.
According to its dimensions, the second largest city of Lebanon is
mostly reputed for its Crusaders' Citadel St. Gilles, its mameluk
Lion Tower, its mameluk mosques and its souks. They still give the
oriental charm to the modern city, nowadays and important transit
harbor.
BYBLOS (JBEIL)
An antique biblical town, among the oldest in the world, Byblos
would have been founded, according to the Phoenician legend, by the
god EL. Named Gubla and Gebal in the beginning, the Greeks gave it a
new name: Byblos and made from it an Hellenic town. The name Byblos,
which means, "book" in Greek, takes its origins in the
town's importance from the trade of papyrus. At the present time, to
admire the Phoenician walls, its Roman theatre and its Crusaders
castle, sheltering the wax museum illustrating the local and
national history, one has to go to the old quarters of the city. The
Roman church of St. John the Baptist and the old harbor contribute
in making of Byblos this charming city.
SAIDA (SIDON or SAGETTE)
It has been one of the greatest Phoenician city-states,
which owed its fame to its glass industry and the purple dye, which
was produced here. After the important earthquake of 551, the Beirut
Law School found here refuge. Later, Crusaders overtook the city and
renamed it Saida, chief town of the seigneury of Sagette. Surrounded
by banana and lemon plantations, it remains one of the most pleasant
places to visit. One can stroll along the coastline near the
Crusaders Castle dating back to the 13th century, called the Sea
Castle or visit the necropolis, the old harbor or the souks situated
between the Sea Castle and the Castle of St. Louis.
TYR (SOUR)
A string of islands reunited in the past, Tyr flourishes
under the aegis of King Hiram in the 10th century BC, thanks to its
industries of glass and purple dye. Challenging Nabouchodnosor
during 13 years and resisting the siege of Alexander the Great for 7
months turned this city into a celebrity. This Roman site with a
Byzantine necropolis and one of the largest hippodromes in the world
was only listed as an international historical monument in 1980.
JEITA One of the most beautiful caves in the world can be found only
20 km from Beirut- Impressing the visitors by its size and wealth.
In those rocky galleries, known by men since the prehistorically
times, the oozing of water created a natural piece of art on two
levels. Stalactites and stalagmites in all sorts of forms and sizes
stimulate the imagination of the visitors.
ESCHMOUN
Probably it is the most admirable Phoenician complex in
Lebanon. The Great Temple constructed at the end of the 5th century
BC by orders of king Eschmounazar 2 is surrounded by a religious
complex. This place was named after a Phoenician God venerated by
the Ancients. He personalized the cycle of seasons, death and
resurrection. Used during the whole Antiquity, the sanctuary bears
evidence of Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine epochs: mosaics, bas-
reliefs, basins and columns.
ANJAR
Anjar, the only vestige in Lebanon dating from the
Omayyad period, is situated about 60 km from Beirut. Not only its
strategic position on the intersection of the trade-roads leading to
Damascus, Homs, Baalbeck and the North, but also the presence of an
abundant spring, made from Anjar a continental commercial center.
The Omayyad Caliphs, who considered Anjar as their summer residence,
organized the city after a Byzantine city- plan with straight angled
streets, a sewer system, palaces, hammams and old quarters. Not less
than 600 shops were found back, giving an idea of its economical
prosperity before vanishing in the 8th century. Destroyed by men or
by an earthquake? Without doubt,
By both of them… |
