Byblos and Beirut, Lebanon

By | March 25, 2022

Byblos

A cozy little city located 40 km north of Beirut and was born in 8000 BC. e. one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the Middle East and the oldest cities in the world, which tourists from all over the world seek to see. Here you can literally touch the history – the city is simply crammed with the ruins of ancient buildings: from the first settlements of fishing communities, starting from 8000 BC. e, the first buildings of the city, the cemetery of the Phoenicians, the 4000-year-old Egyptian temple, the Persian fortifications to the Roman road, the Byzantine churches, the citadel of the Middle Ages of the Ottoman Empire. Once the center of the papyrus trade between Egypt and Greece (biblical from Greek and means “papyrus”), now it is a city-museum, which has not so many equals even on a global scale. N az in enand e Bible came from ” Biblio n “, that is the book ” Bibles “. L ocated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 32 km from Beirut – the capital Lebanese, Byblos is officially one of the oldest cities, whose inhabitants never leave d ali e g o. Agree According to a legend, Byblos was founded by the sun god El, who surrounded his city with a wall and even the Finnish people about d e v n and m city about the house. X otya n The beginning of creation is lost in time, modern scientists believe that it is at least 70 0 0 years old. No matter how strange the name of the city of Phoenicia » and Byblos was not recognized by the early residents of the city. IN over several thousand years he was called ” Jubla ” and later ” Jabel ” until the term ” Kanaan ” appeared on the coast. Greeks after 1200 BC e., d ali and m i ” Phoenicians “, referring to the coastal zone. And they are the city was called ” Biblos “. Today ‘s Bible ( Arabic ki – Jebel ) is a thriving area with glass office buildings and streets, filled with residents. N o in the old part of the city mediaeval remains of the epochs were preserved , continuosly reminiscent of the past. The historical part of the city is a vast the zone of archeological excavations, it is surrounded by a wall. And it was here that the first alphabet, the progenitor of the modern alphabet and writing in general.

Beirut

Beirut is the capital of Lebanon and the largest city in the country. It is located in the central part of the Mediterranean coast on a hilly peninsula. Here is the main port of Lebanon and the largest port on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

The city became known during the reign of the Phoenicians under the name of Berytus and was one of the most important trading centers in the Mediterranean. Beirut became the country’s capital in 1943, when Lebanon gained independence from France. For a special appearance – it was called the “Paris of the Middle East”.

The main sights of the city are located in the Central District: in its very heart there is the Star Square, in the center of which there is a clock tower, on the nearby streets there are shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Near the square is the Grand Serail Palace, which was built in 1853 as the residence of the Ottoman sultans. After Lebanon gained independence, the Grand Serail turned into the Government House, to the south is the Archaeological Park, to the east of the Star Square rises the Cathedral of St. mosque, and in the vicinity of the Cathedral of St. George and the Mosque of Omar is the Martyrs’ Square.

Old Berut is the heart of the city and its most central part with many cafes, restaurants, designer clothing stores. The inner part, around Neume Square (Star Square) is a pedestrian area. The square really has the shape of a “star”: rays-streets scatter in all directions from it. But the eastern and southwestern streets are missing: French architects did not dare to destroy two churches – the church of St. Elijah and St. George. Star Square and the small streets adjacent to it are one of the centers of nightlife in modern Beirut. Within walking distance is the Beirut embankment – a favorite place for Beirutians. Museums are located in the southern part of the city: the Lebanese National Museum and the Sursok Museum The Sursok Museum presents contemporary art.

The main place for walking in Beirut is the promenade, called in the French manner – Corniche. Here you can have a great time in numerous restaurants and cafes, just walk or ride a bike. From the embankment you can see the symbol of Beirut – Pigeon Rocks

In the western part of the city is the commercial and financial center of the city – the Hamra district, where most of the shops, banks, restaurants, clubs are concentrated, a lively nightlife is in full swing

From Beirut you can easily get to any part of the country: Jebel, Tripoli, Bietddin, Saida, Tire, Anjar, Baalbek, not far from the city in the mountains of Lebanon there are famous ski resorts and nature reserves, where areas of ancient cedar forests are protected.